Albania hails Germany’s commitment to the region

Germany, said Rama, brings more than just money — it brings “a culture of proper administration.”
TIRANA, Oct. 21 – Albania highly appreciates Germany’s commitment in the promotion of the Balkans as part of the united Europe, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Tuesday at a meeting on Albanian-Germany cooperation held in Tirana.
“Uniting forces toward the European Union is inspiring, because we are convinced that if we join forces with Germany we can only win,” said Rama.
Berlin gathered all the Balkan leaders in Aug. 28 to talk on their countries’ future toward the EU, telling them to work on the European project first in their own country and then to cooperate with each other, making final steps toward EU faster.
Rama said Albania’s government considers Germany as a strategic partner for economic development “but also as a source of leadership in our steady journey” toward EU membership.
Rama paid special respects to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who he said gave to the Balkans and Albania “a very encouraging prospect and a hope of renaissance with the possibility to move ahead with the European project, despite the turbulence and issues the European Union faces today.”
Albanian-German cooperation since 1988 has brought some one billion euros in investment and aid to Albania, making Berlin the largest financial contributor to post-communist Albania as a separate country.
The Germans have invested in energy, drinking water, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, protection of natural resources, tourism and professional education, Albanian officials said.