In his remarks in German at the Congress of European Socialist Parties held on October 14-15 in Berlin, Scholz addressed Prime Minister Edi Rama, explaining in English the message he was conveying.

“The Western Balkan countries have been EU candidates for 20 years. But after so long this will not only be in words, but also in deeds,” Chancellor Scholz said in German.

Afterwards, he switched to English addressing Prime Minister Rama present in the hall, saying: “Edi, I just said that we are standing by the countries of the Western Balkans.”

Progressive political forces from all over Europe gathered in Berlin at the Congress of European Socialists & Democrats, represented by heads of state and government, European commissioners, party leaders and other representatives, under the motto “With courage. For Europe.”

Prime Minister Edi Rama joined one of the panels which explored the ways of coping with the common challenges, from war inflation to the energy crisis, and so on.

In his address, PM of Albania looked back on the case of anti-COVID vaccines, saying that “when we saw others around us vaccinate their elderly, nurses, doctors, we, the citizens of the Western Balkans, despite the faith and loyalty to Europe, felt like fish out of water.”

For this, Rama requested the support of the European Union in coping with the energy crisis so that the same situation does not repeat itself.

“Here we are yet again. The energy crisis is not a pandemic, but it is similar when it comes to the repercussions that can turn the entire European community upside down. And I hope that it will not happen again that whatever solution is found within the EU to shield the member countries from this shock, we will not be left behind again,” Prime Minister Rama said.
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