The government Rama made the comments in a preview of a new episode of his “Let’s Talk” (Flasim) podcast, featuring journalist Rudina Xhunga, who is due to ask him 330 questions in a marathon interview.

In excerpts released on social media, Rama also criticised the role of prosecutors and judges in political affairs, saying judicial institutions should not assume powers belonging to elected political institutions.

“A prosecutor, together with another, joined forces and decided to become the prime minister, parliament and president. I cannot accept that,” Rama said.

He also criticised SPAK’s communication with the media.

“One of the worst things SPAK has done is use the media to smear those it was going to charge. This should not happen,” Rama said.

Commenting on the situation in Tirana Municipality, Rama described its current leadership as “a social and economic experiment”, referring to the fact that Mayor Erion Veliaj remains in pre-trial detention.

“The municipality has no head. It is a social and economic experiment to run a capital city without a head,” Rama said.

Rama also rejected claims that Albania was selling off Sazan, an island off the country’s southern coast that has been the subject of a proposed tourism development.

“They are not buying the island, nor are they taking ownership of it. That island will remain the property of the Republic of Albania … I am not the seller of Albania,” Rama said.

The prime minister also reflected on his political career and the relationship between power and individuals, saying: “It was a great political talent that could not bear the weight. Power is a monstrous beast; it has consumed and absorbed many men.”

The full “Flasim Shqip” episode with Xhunga is expected to be released as part of the new season of Rama’s podcast.

/A.Fortuzi/u.sh/

Asked plainly by journalist Thomas Seifert why the European Union should have Albania inside it, PM Rama replied that the issue is fundamentally one of Europe’s security and unity.

“It is historically unique to have this geopolitical reality in the European Union: two borders – an external one and an internal one. And in this case, the internal border is the Western Balkans. So, for reasons linked to Europe’s security, Europe’s cohesion, and Europe’s unity, it is clear – at least to me – that the Western Balkan countries must be integrated into the European Union,” he said.

According to the Albanian Premier the wider geopolitical context in Europe has shifted, arguing that the EU has lost sight of the strategic importance of enlargement – an approach he prefers to frame as “unification.” He also recalled the repeated vetoes Albania faced in earlier years, including from France on opening accession negotiations.

“Times are different now. Many things have changed. Most importantly, the EU’s sense of security about itself has changed. Today the Union is not as self-sufficient as it felt years ago. I hope this remains the case, because things can shift again,” he noted.

Rama reiterated his commitment to EU membership by 2030, adding that this objective has strong backing from the European Commission.

“Will we be like Austria in two years? Certainly not. Not at all. However, accession is governed by clear and specific principles and criteria that must be met in full. The struggle over individual issues never end for anyone. We will continue that work. But as things stand now, I see no risk of serious obstacles at this stage. Later, of course, more will need to be done,” he said.

The Albanian government head highlighted knowledge-transfer as the greatest benefit of the accession process, arguing that in this area the EU has no equivalent.

“We don’t do this ‘homework’ to please Brussels. We do it to change Albania – to make it more European, more democratic, and more institution-based rather than personality-based. The EU is the only true source of this kind of expertise. You cannot find it elsewhere. Look at Afghanistan or Iraq: they failed partly because they lacked the EU’s perspective and because no one else can teach a country how to build institutions. Americans don’t have the patience for that; their philosophy is to fix things with bombs and then preach. The long, painstaking process is something only the EU knows how to do – its greatest continental treasure. So, if we remove Europe from Albania’s equation, and if we remove the European Union from the path we have followed until now and try to imagine what we would be like today, it is something completely different. We would not be where we are today if we didn’t have the European Union, and if we didn’t have the headaches that come with it. It is very neurotic to work with the European Union. But in the end, it is really very beneficial, very helpful, very healthy. It’s like taking bitter medicine, but it is medicine. It’s not poison,” Rama said.

On the work of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK), Rama said he had anticipated tensions but stressed the need to build justice institutions capable of demonstrating real independence. Mistakes may occur, he said, but their autonomy must remain intact.

“This is not something unexpected. I said long before its creation that we needed justice mechanisms able to prove their independence by investigating and prosecuting regardless of who is involved. It’s not pleasant – it’s painful and bitter. But it is the only way. Is it perfect? No. Do they make mistakes? Of course. But we must do everything to avoid touching the independence we have granted them,” he stated.

Asked by Seifert about the Vlora Airport project, Rama insisted it is not harmful and will open next year. He also commented on Jared Kushner’s investment initiative in Albania.

“I don’t know exactly how it happened, but it did. They came, visited, fell in love with the country, came back, and then began thinking about how to invest,” he said.

He emphasized that his friendship with the Kushners is not political and will endure beyond Donald Trump’s term in the White House.

“I think this is an investment and a long-term friendship, so it will outlast Trump. It is not a political friendship – then or now. This is what I’ve said back then and this is what I am saying now,” he added.

Regarding tensions in the United States between President Trump and George Soros, Rama said it is not his place to judge or be involved. He stated that Albania is home to all friends.

“Yes, you asked about Kushner and Soros. They are both friends. They may not like each other – though I’m not sure. But that is about them, not me. It is not my job to judge or to be part of it. Albania is home to all our friends – both are at home here,” he said.

On international relations more broadly, Rama noted that Albania has kept a clean record and avoided international confrontations, adding that as a small country, it cannot afford selective diplomacy.

“We are too small to choose. We must speak with everyone and understand everyone as much as possible,” he argued.

Rama recalled that Albania severed relations with Russia in 1960.

“We split with Russia in 1960 because we wanted to keep Stalin, while they wanted to move on from him. We preserved Stalin – not the Soviet Union – for thirty more years. This created deep resentment in our national psychology toward Russia. After 35 years of democratic life, we have never visited Russia, nor have they visited us. And frankly, we do not miss it,” he said.

However, he insisted that the European Union must engage directly with Russia and not outsource its foreign policy to Washington.

“The EU must speak with Russia. It should not continue delegating its foreign policy to Washington. At the end of the day, Russia is the EU’s neighbor – not America’s. And with your neighbors, you must talk,” Rama concluded.

/u.sh/