“The very positive momentum in the relationship between Albania and France in innovation, education and higher education, culture, and tourism testifies to our close ties,” emphasized Macron.

“We want to give it new impetus, while also continuing to strengthen our economic and defense cooperation”, added the French president.

Macron emphasized that France firmly backs Albania’s EU integration and the ongoing reforms required for its accession.

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Speaking at a press conference, the Democratic Party chairman said meetings at the Élysée Palace traditionally provide an opportunity for France to convey its views on important issues to visiting leaders.

“I hope President Macron bears in mind that the reality described by Edi Rama – involving algorithms and alleged foreign influences – is not the reality seen on the streets of Tirana, where citizens have been protesting for 22 days in a peaceful and sustained manner,” Berisha said.

He argued that the rallies reflected public frustration with the government and dismissed suggestions that domestic criticism was being driven by foreign actors or online campaigns.

Berisha also said he hoped Macron would deliver what he called “the right message” to Rama in the interests of Albania, the region and the country’s international partners.

“I sincerely hope this meeting at the Élysée will help Edi Rama receive the right message, in the best interests of Albania, the region and Albania’s friends,” he said.

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Shortly before the start of the proceedings of this summit, PM Rama was received at the Élysée Palace by President of France Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelensky and other key allies of the country as efforts intensify to agree security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. /m.m/a.f/r.e/p.s./

During the meeting, they talked on the cooperation between the Albanian Football Association and the Macron, as well as the history of very good relations over the years between the two parties.

President Duka appreciated Macron’s continued support for the Albanian National Team and the important role that this partnership has had in improving the identity and image of our national teams.

For his part, Gianluca Pavanello expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation with the Albanian Football Association, highlighting the continuous growth of Albanian football and the successes achieved in recent years, both in terms of sports and in the organization of international events.

After the official meeting, Macron’s CEO also visited the “House of Football”, where he got acquainted with one of the largest investments in Albanian football and the Albanian Football Association, as well as visited the premises of FSHF TV.

During the visit, he also got acquainted with the functioning of this modern complex, which serves as the administrative and organizational heart of Albanian football, as well as its role in the development of the Albanian Football Association’s strategic projects. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Speaking at a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, Macron answered to a reporter, who said that several people were killed in a drone strike in Ukraine earlier on Saturday, asking whether this was Vladimir Putin’s response to the European and U.S. proposal for ceasefire or tougher additional sanctions were needed against Russia now.

Macron expressed unwavering support for Ukraine and accused Putin of cynicism and said that Russia has failed to respect ceasefire proposals backed by the U.S. and other Western nations. He also expressed hope that U.S. President will react.

“The cease-fire proposals, which I remind you are an American initiative, have not been respected by President Putin and his armies. Given President Putin’s cynicism, I believe, I am even sure, that President Trump, concerned about the credibility of the United States of America, will react,” Macron said

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French President emphasized the importance of progress in the dialogue process between the two countries.

Macron underlined that the roadmap is very clear and that the European Union has a legitimate right to demand concrete political progress.

“The roadmap is very clear, and we have spent a lot of time in dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtina. The EU has a legitimate right to demand concrete political progress, especially regarding the municipal elections, as well as concerning security. I don’t think that being demanding means losing credibility. We must break out of this confrontation that is blocking the situation,” French President stated.

“I hope that in the coming weeks we can restart the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, because every country faces political and social challenges. This is important for the entire region,” the French president emphasized.

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Participating in the International Forum “Future Investment Initiative” (FII), which is being held for the first time in Europe and precisely in Albania, Macron said that he was jealous that this platform was being held in Albania.

“I am really jealous that this platform is being held for the first time in Europe, in Albania,” he said.

The French president emphasized the importance for the countries of the European Union and beyond to have a clear strategy for competitiveness and to place investments at the center of this strategy. Macron calls for reshaping EU budget and investments in technology, defense and AI.

Macron noted that the European Commission has taken steps towards simplification, but considered them insufficient. He emphasized the need for a common European market in three critical sectors: telecommunications, energy and finance, which are currently not fully integrated.

In conclusion, Macron emphasized the importance of the European Political Community (EPC) and the EU accession process of Albania and the Western Balkans, considering this a unique opportunity to build a larger, more united and globally influential Europe. /j.p/p.s./

At the joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Macron stressed that the end of negotiations with the EU in 2027 is achievable; it is realistic and not just a perspective.

France, he said, will be by Albania’s side to accompany it in these reforms and to protect it, so that its merits are recognized by all in line with the agenda.

He expressed his congratulations to Rama on his victory in the May 11 elections.

“I have confidence in what you will do and I am happy for the very clear mandate you have got”, Macron emphasized.

Beyond this bilateral relationship, he continued, we wanted to go even further.

“It is Albania in the EU, that is important. I want to reiterate here my full conviction for the reunification of the European continent. Faced with common challenges, Albania has shown the way; it has made great progress in recent times; it has opened many clusters of negotiations. I have confidence in what you will do and I am happy for the very clear mandate you have got. Albania’s path is crystal clear, towards the European Union. The ambitious reform that you are undertaking, and after these clusters of negotiations that seem very technical to your compatriots, is a very sensitive path of adventure. We talked a little about this European path. France stands by your side to accompany you in these reforms and to protect you so that your merits are recognized by everyone in line with the agenda because you have and stick to your agenda and we have ours. 2027 is not only a perspective, but also a reality”, he said.

For this reason, Macron emphasized, I wanted to be present, in addition to participating in the European Political Community, but also to reiterate the confidence we have in Albania’s path towards Europe and France’s confidence in this European path that will become a reality. /j.p/p.s./

In a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister stated that, “We are deeply grateful and today we feel France very close even in Albania’s EU accession process”.

The prime minister also underlined that, “The region has gained a staunch supporter of all transformation processes in addressing the difficult moments that still need to be resolved and inclusion of the entire region in a united Europe”.

Rama highlighted the fact that the French President is visiting Albania for the second time in such a short time and staying for another bilateral visit.

“This gives us great pride and gratitude for this strong impetus from the President and the Republic of France in relations with Albania, which have entered a completely new and previously unknown phase”, said Rama.

The prime minister said that besides making a balance-sheet of the work done after the first historic visit of President Macron, who was the first head of state of France to visit Albania, we have continued to sign other agreements to deepen cooperation in the areas predetermined in the framework agreement between the two governments.

“It is a special privilege that Albania hosted the European Political Community and it is certainly a pleasure that together with the president and a group of countries we have pushed this community project to the level where there is now full consensus from all the constituent countries”, said Rama.

In this regard, the prime minister underlined that there is being created a new substance in the relations between European countries. /j.p/p.s./

Further on, the representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania and the French Development Agency signed in their presence a Memorandum of Good Understanding for drafting and all-embracing project on sustainable tourism in the region of Korça.

Also, the representatives of both countries exchanged an agreement of cooperation in the field of energy.

These agreements are in context of strengthening of cooperation between the two countries. /p.s./