TIRANA, April 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama was on an official visit to the United States this week, where he met with high U.S officials and leaders of the Albanian diaspora. Rama also met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House. The meeting reportedly focused on the special relationship that exists between Albania and the United States and bilateral cooperation with regard to global challenges.
“What we discussed about the justice reform was very important. Even the White House demands and supports and of course considers it very important for Albania on its European integration road where we are strongly supported by the United States and its president,” Rama told VoA in the local Albanian service after meeting president Obama in the White House on Thursday.
U.S. ambassador to Albania Donald Lu hailed the meeting with Obama as “another opportunity to express appreciation to all Albanians for the strong friendship and steadfast cooperation.”
“In the spirit of the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations, and following the very successful visit of Secretary Kerry to Tirana, this visit offers another opportunity to express appreciation to all Albanians for the strong friendship and steadfast cooperation between our governments and people on a wide range of important issues, such as countering violent extremism, the coalition against ISIS, and the historic justice reform,” said U.S. Ambassador to Albania Donald Lu commenting on Rama’s visit with President Obama.
In his U.S. visit, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke on Wednesday at the Atlantic Council, where he said that challenges Europe is facing today risk undermining Western Balkans integration efforts.
Rama added that while enlargement might not be a priority for the bloc at the moment, the benefits are mutual in the face of common challenges.
“Europe needs the Balkans just as much as the Balkans needs the EU,” Rama said.
Rama said that the migration crisis is the biggest problem Europe is currently facing and that the continent’s response has been slow, with the exception of Germany.
Rama also spoke about violent extremism and Albania’s contribution as a partner in the global fight against terror. Rama highlighted the fact that Albania is an example of religious tolerance and promotes the cohabitation of religious faiths.
Rama also praised bilateral relations with the United States, while he also listed Russian influence as another challenge facing the region.
During his U.S trip, Prime Minister Edi Rama also had a meeting on Wednesday at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C with WB President Jim Yong Kim.
Rama described the meeting on social media as very encouraging and supportive of the reforms undertaken by the Albanian government.
Rama is said to have asked from the World Bank to act as a catalyst for growth in Southeast Europe.
In Rama’s view, regional cooperation is key to the development of the Balkans while the future of the region lies in the European Union.
Part of Rama’s agenda during his visit to the United States was also a meeting with USAID administrator Gayle Smith, in which he asked for the support of USAID for the establishment of a regional center against violent extremism. PM Rama also asked for increased USAID assistance regarding the modernization of public services in the country as an effective way of tackling corruption.
The Premier’s office quoted USAID administrator Smith as saying she evaluated the government initiative to introduce religious education in public schools.
“If the new generation, not only in Albania but everywhere in the world, is educated on religious faiths, it will be very difficult for it to fall prey to extremism,” Smith said during the meeting with PM Rama.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also paid tribute to America’s fallen service members by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
