Prime Minister Edi Rama, highlighting the fast pace the European Union arranged the opening of the College of Europe branch in Tirana, said that it is uplifting to see how fast the EU has delivered on its commitment.

“It is really encouraging to see the European Union walk the talk so fast, which is not very usual. It is encouraging and I must say that this is something that we have experienced in recent years thanks to the special commitment of the EC President, who has supported us in moments of darkness, for example when the devastating earthquake hit Albania and it goes without saying that our journey to recover and build back stronger and better would have been impossible,” said Rama.

“Having said that, I also want to underline the importance of this initiative that comes to life today in such a short time. We tend to think that Europe is about the economy, about financing, about more access to the single market, and all these are all true. But I firmly believe that Europe for us, more than all these together, is about knowledge. It is about learning how to solve all the problems we have inherited and how to find the right way to build our institutions. How to transform what is most important for a new country grappling with challenges like ours, the knowhow and the state,” he continued.

“I have always thought how blessed we are to live in this country and how blessed we are to be surrounded by the EU. When I look back on our past, there is not much reason to be inspired or to believe in a bright future, and if there is one reason why other countries emerging from a difficult past cannot find a way out is because they are not in Europe, it is Europe itself. No one can guide countries in other parts of the world, which want to move forward, which want to transform their lives by transforming their states, by having accountable institutions, the EU is the best at doing that. No one can help a country to emerge from its past and ensure a democratic and functioning state for its future, as the EU does. It’s not easy at all, there is no such a nerve-wracking tutor like EU is. The college is at the vanguard of this, but there is no other way,” said Rama.

“That’s why I strongly believe that this college offrtd more than a university here and abroad. It becomes part of our system to provide more opportunities for a higher quality education, higher skills for our young people. In addition, it offers an insightful lesson for the EU itself. For the journey towards it, for all this, I think we have every right to be happy today. Many more young Albanians than 31 want to be part of it for sure. Of course, the plan is for the number to increase in the following years, but the number will never equate the demand to enroll, which means that the competition will be more and more challenging. This is another good thing,” the Prime Minister said.
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