Rama said his visit would begin on Sunday afternoon in Michigan, where he is due to meet with the Albanian community.

“This time, the week of the United Nations in America begins this afternoon with and for Albanians in Michigan, where I have the honour of being invited by the community and invite anyone who wishes to join us,” Rama wrote on social media.

Rama is accompanied on the U.S. trip by his wife, Linda Rama, and an official Albanian delegation.

In New York, Rama will attend the opening of the General Debate of the U.N. General Assembly, where he is expected to address the gathering.

His agenda also includes official receptions, high-level events and meetings with representatives of political, business and international organisations.

Rama is also scheduled to meet representatives of the Albanian diaspora in the United States during the visit.

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Berisha said more than 46% of Albanians had left the country over the past decade, attributing the trend to what he called a “drug regime” and the influence of narcotics money on the economy and state institutions.

“This regime has an unprecedented poisonous power in our history, and that poisonous power is drugs,” Berisha said.

He also linked changes in the exchange rate to what he described as the inflow of illicit money, saying the euro had lost 35% of its value and the dollar 32% against the lek over the past decade.

He said the currency depreciation had hurt exports, businesses and remittances, claiming that thousands of companies had subsequently gone bankrupt.

Berisha accused the government of allowing organised crime to influence state institutions and elections, and warned that continued emigration at the current pace could have severe demographic consequences.

“If it is not stopped, in a few decades we will be a minority in our own country,” he said.

Berisha called on the Albanian diaspora in the United States to engage with U.S. institutions and international partners to highlight what he described as links between organised crime and political power.

He praised the U.S. administration’s approach to combating drug cartels and said he would seek U.S. support for strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding free elections.

“I will do everything to present the reality of Albania to our main partner,” Berisha said.

At the end of the meeting, Berisha thanked the Albanian diaspora in the United States for its contribution to Albania and Kosovo and urged it to remain politically engaged with developments in the country.

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Speaking at a commemorative event held at the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tirana-Durrës in honour of Blessed Vladimir Ghika, Hoxha described the occasion as a moment of reflection on the deep historical, cultural and human ties between Albania and Romania.

He said that Romanian-based Albanian patriots played a key role during the National Renaissance by promoting ideas of freedom and independence through publications and political organisation, while preserving Albanian identity abroad.

Hoxha also praised prominent Albanian families who contributed to the cultural and political life of both countries, saying their legacy reflects the enduring link between Albania and its diaspora.

He added that the diaspora remains a key resource for Albania’s development, describing it as a “vital source of energy, knowledge and connections” supporting the country’s European integration ambitions.

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In a message on the social media on Friday following numerous complaints about delays in the delivery of election envelopes to voters abroad, PM Rama, also leader of the ruling Socialist Party, noted that there is still time for Albanian diaspora to be part of the historic encounter as the May 11 vote will determine European future of Albania.

“It is the last day of the campaign before the judgement of the sovereign people with the Sunday’s vote. This is the last message I would like to send to our brothers and sisters in Greece, Italy, Germany, Great Britain and elsewhere, where Albanian expats have yet to return their ballot papers. There is still time for them to join the overwhelming majority of Albanians who will unequivocally decide Albania’s EU future on May 11,” Rama said.

Rama acknowledged some improvement in recent days but warned that many envelopes were still pending.

“Thank you to those who already acted, but there are still many envelopes out there. They must be returned to become part of the great red-and-black wave that will overturn the ballot boxes on May 11,” he said.

The process is being closely monitored to ensure transparency and security, especially given the logistical complexity of overseas voting. This is the first time Albanian citizens abroad are participating in national elections through postal voting at this scale.

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The government head took to the social media to share images showing the venue where the meeting with Great Britain’s Albanian community is set to take place.

PM Rama will meet Albanian diaspora at The Cooper Box, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London at around 12:00 hrs.

This will be the first time in Albania’s history that expats will have the chance to vote in the national elections, something that has created a buzz among the Albanian diaspora.

This is the latest round of diaspora engagement comes after similar events held earlier this year in Athens on May 12 and Milan, Italy, on May 26, in New York in end of October and in Thessaloniki on November 3.

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Addressing today’s parliament session on the 2024 state budget changes, Balla said that the registration process will open 120 days ahead of the elections and will end 60 days before the polls.

“For the first time, Albanians outside the country will be able to vote from the country where they live, work and study under the electoral code amendments approved with a consensual vote in Parliament,” Balla said.

According to him, the Albanian diaspora is a huge contributor to the national economy.

“Albanians living abroad have been sending remittances to invest in Albania for 33 years now,” he added.

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The government head said in a post on the social media that the meeting is scheduled to take place at Busto Arsizio sports hall at 11 am on May 26^th.

PM Rama commenced his “Proud of Albania” tour, tour with a rally with the Albanian diaspora in Athens, Greece, on May  12^th. The tour  aims to connect with Albanian communities abroad.

Rama is scheduled to travel to Milan on May 26^th, London on June 2^nd,  and Dusseldorf on June 16^th,  highlighting the significance of engaging with Albanian diaspora across Europe.

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