TIRANA, June 28, 2022 – Albania and the United States have marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with several events in Tirana and a special greeting to the Albanian people by U.S. President Joe Biden.
In a video message, President Biden said Albania and the United States as NATO allies and partners work together for the protection of freedom and democracy in Europe and around the world, including the joint work at the UN Security Council, where Albania is currently a nonpermanent member.
“The United States will continue to stand by Albania, while you advance the work to fortify democratic institutions, to fight corruption, to strengthen the rule of law and to complete your journey for membership in the European Union,” President Biden said.
He added that Albania has also made a critical contribution in supporting the humanitarian and security needs of the Ukrainian people, who are defending the country against Russia’s brutal war. Biden also said he appreciated the hospitality of the Albanian people in housing thousands of Afghans during the past year.
Albanian President Bajram Begaj said Albania would continue to stand arm in arm with its strategic partner, the United States, cooperating in vitally important fields.
“U.S. support is invaluable to our national cause. With the same principles and with the same determination with which Albania was supported 100 years ago, Kosovo was also supported for the declaration of independence. I am confident that Albania and America will continue to be steadfast friends and partners of progress,” President Begaj said.
In a message marking the occasion, Prime Minister Edi Rama affirmed that Albania and the United States are in an irreplaceable strategic relationship. He emphasized that without the United States, Albania today would not be a member of NATO or a member of the Security Council.
In addition to President Biden’s message, there was a congratulatory message from George W. Bush, the first sitting American president to visit Albania. He congratulated the Albanian people for the achievements in European integration and highly appreciated the special Albanian-American friendship, which he noted he and his wife Laura had the opportunity to experience during their visit to Albania, from which they said they kept very beautiful impressions and memories.
U.S. Ambassador to Tirana Yuri Kim said the U.S. was proud to support Albania as it broke the chains of communist dictatorship in 1991 and proud to support Albania’s international achievements science then: NATO membership in 2009; OSCE Chair-in-Office in 2020 and UN Security Council membership in 2022. She added the U.S. is “proud to celebrate with you this month as you formally began negotiations to take your rightful place as a prosperous, democratic nation within the European family.”
“Much has changed in a hundred years, but here is what remains unchanged and true: The United States have never wavered from believing in an independent and sovereign Albania. We have never wavered from believing in you. We have never wavered from believing in our friendship,” Ambassador Kim said.
