In UN speech, Rama urges world to not judge Albania by portrayal in movies

TIRANA, Sept 29 – New Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama held his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, urging the world to see Albania for it is and not how recent negative portray the country as a hotbed of violence, mobsters and human trafficking rings.
That was Rama’s first speech at such a top international panel, less than two weeks after he took office at the helm of the Albanian executive.
“In truth, people around the world maybe don’t know that much about Albania, but what they think they know is not good. The film industry has not been kind to us. Wag The Dog? Taken? Taken 2? Even I was a bit scared to be in Albania after that,” Rama said, referring to the films.
“I hope one day (actors) Liam Neeson, Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro can visit, see what a beautiful country it is, feel the potential that I feel.”
But Rama admitted that fighting corruption and organized crime remains a main challenge to his new government.
“Corruption, which scars countries in the way a blade can scar a beautiful face. It deters legitimate investors from investing. It holds back progress. It stops people from believing there can ever be fairness. Corruption can and must be beaten,” Rama said.
During his last days in New York, Rama held meetings with senior international personalities.
He met with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to speak about fighting corruption and explain that a legal reform remain main target and focus of the international community.
Rama did not forget to repeat calls to countries that haven’t already done so to recognize Kosovo as the new country.
Rama also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nulland and other officials.
“To build a strategy, not overwhelmed by difficulties” was the main message Rama gave to his interlocutors. He also called on all Albanians, at home or abroad to start a new road together.
“Albania can do what each of you has done individually,” Rama said in a speech he held addressing Albanians living or studying abroad.