The Rector of the National University of Distance Education, Ricardo Mairal, who also represents the University of Madrid, said that the visit will help efforts to further boost educational cooperation and exchanges between the two nations and countries.

“I can really imagine a near future when the two countries will share knowledge, expertise, scientific research, mobility and cultural views. This is why your today’s visit highlights our genuine commitment, our project to build a world, where research takes place without borders, where education can become the universal language that connects us with one another.

As I already noted, Mr. Prime Minister, we are truly honored to have you here and launch together such a stimulating project, which means a lot for both countries and the University of Madrid in particular that I am honored to represent today,” the UNED Rector Ricardo Mairal said.

On his part, Prime Minister Rama pointed out the fresh opportunities of mutual cooperation in the future, when the doors of the universities will be open to students from the respective countries.

“This is one of our top priorities, ensuring that our universities emerge from that self-referring domain and sign such agreements to provide our students the opportunity to receive high quality education and attend the best degree programs without having to leave the country.

In the meantime, it is so good to imagine a future when European students attend higher education in Albania thanks to these universities. This is one of the main results we are seeking to deliver on.

Similarly, we have already signed very good accords with several universities. The College of Europe has been opened in Albania, which is also very important. It is indeed the second campus of the College of Europe after the one opened first in Poland. We are looking forward to seeing the new campus opened and I am pretty sure your colleagues will really enjoy visiting Albania,” PM Rama said during the meeting.

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PM Rama is accompanied by an official delegation composed by Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro as well as mayors of several municipalities in the country. Their Spanish visit is in context of Albania’s participation in the major global tourism fair “FITUR Madrid”.

The prime minister started the day today with a working morning at the UNED chancellery while there is work underway for Gjirokastra campus.

Rama emphasized that Gjirokastra campus will join the European UNED system this year, giving Albanian students the opportunity of the UNED programs and degrees, without going away from Albania.

Albania will present its tourism potentials through a high-level agenda under the organization of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment at the “Fitur” International Fair in Madrid, which is held from January 24 to 28. /m.m/p.s./