In an online exchange with citizens via social media, Berisha labelled the Prime Minister’s address as “shameful,” asserting that the PM had focused his remarks on the issue of algorithms while neglecting matters concerning Kosovo and the wider region.

Berisha said: “Edi Rama did not utter even once the word Kosovo, nor the word KLA, nor the names of its leaders.”

He compared Rama’s stance with that of Croatia’s Prime Minister, noting that the latter addressed regional developments, including Kosovo and Belgrade’s actions.

Berisha further accused the Prime Minister of spreading “slander” against the Self-Determination Movement.

Berisha stated: “After the attempts to bring down the Government of Kosovo through Vlora Hyseni and his envoys, he is now spreading in Albania the basest of slanders, seeking to portray the Vetëvendosje Movement as a party hostile to Albania.”

Berisha stressed that “there is no party in Kosovo that is ‘anti‑Albania’,” while adding that Prime Minister Rama has adopted positions detrimental to Kosovo.

Berisha declared: “He found occasion to play the patriot at a dinner where he accused the United States and President Joe Biden of betrayal. Joe Biden is no longer President, but I tell Albanians that throughout his political career his stance and his vote have been for Albanians. And then a rogue comes out and says that Joe Biden betrayed us, simply because he is no longer in office. That America betrayed Hashim Thaçi. How can such a word be uttered? In what way did America betray Hashim Thaçi? By liberating Kosovo in cooperation with the KLA?”

Asked about the arrival of the new US Ambassador to Albania, Erick Wendt, Berisha said he anticipated a more active role by the United States in tackling organised crime.

“I extend my welcome to the Ambassador and underline that the struggle against the narco‑state is an arduous one. I am confident that, given President Trump and his administration’s designation of drug cartels as terrorist organisations, the United States will provide substantial support in confronting these cartels and dismantling the narco‑state in Albania,” he stated.

Berisha was also asked about the presentation ceremony for the new US Ambassador, scheduled to take place on 2 October at the US Embassy. The Democratic Party leader said he had no knowledge of it. “I have no information about the ceremony,” he remarked.

Berisha further stated that he had not received an invitation from President Bajram Begaj to attend the forthcoming meeting of the National Security Council, expected to be held on Monday in connection with the case of former SHISH director Vlora Hyseni. Asked whether he would participate, Berisha replied: “I have not received any invitation.”

/m.q/j.p/r.e/sm/