Di Maio said, “Today we are here to remember the first arrivals of Albanian friends here in Puglia 30 years ago. The people of Puglia and all Italians have a vivid memory of thousands of people holding on tightly to one another aboard the fortunate ships.”

“For many Albanians, Italy meant, first of all, freedom and hope for a better life. We do not know exactly how many Albanians reached the shores of Puglia in those dramatic months of 1991, certainly several tens of thousands. The ‘Vlora’ ship alone, which arrived at the port of Bari in August 1991, carried 20,000 people. All of them, like thousands of their compatriots that arrived in the following months, found shelter and hospitality. The popular mobilization of the Puglia people to welcome their brothers and sisters from across the Adriatic was incredible and still today after 30 years fills us with pride,” Di Maio said.

“There are about 500 thousand Albanian citizens who live in Italy today and give an extraordinary contribution in all sectors of economy and society. That is why I am here today with Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, fraternal and sincere friend of Italy and with President of the region of Puglia, Michele Emiliano, to look back on those significant and touching moments that have contributed to unite even more our peoples,” leading us to look to the future,” said Di Maio.

And in fact, he said, “it is in this context that the progressive accession of Albania towards Europe began. An accession that Italy and I personally have always supported and encouraged with the wish that the negotiations for Albania’s EU integration will finally start this year. ”

“As we work to give more concrete perspectives to this journey, on a bilateral level we have built a unique and in-depth relationship on all points of view, commercial, cultural and social ones,” Di Maio said.

“Although 2020 was a year like no other, Italy was confirmed as Albania’s first partner with 31.4% of the overall trade volume which is equal to 2.2 billion euros. It is about 20% of Albania’s GDP ,” added Di Maio.

“Today we have a lot to remember and celebrate, we want to do it not rhetorically or nostalgically, but looking confidently to the future,” he said.

“Our journey of cooperation and friendship continues with concrete steps forward, dear Edi, and Italy convincingly supports Albania, and for this we think that Europe must rise to the height of Albanians’ aspirations,” said Di Maio
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