The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has sent a letter to Secretary Blinken, after his visit to Tirana a few days ago.
In the letter, Rama emphasized that Albania remains dedicated to engaging in the alliance with the USA. He also says the time has come for NATO to call for the first time a full Summit in the Western Balkans in 2027.
Rama's full letter:
With deep appreciation I express my sincere gratitude to you and your delegation for your visit to Tirana on February 15. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to all those who made the visit possible, especially the American Embassy in Tirana.
Allow me to take advantage of this opportunity to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Albanian government to our alliance with the United States and our common goals for the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
The Albanian government remains committed to supporting much-needed rule of law reform as a critical foundation of Albanian democracy and a vital pillar in our efforts to fight corruption. We also recognize the importance of working together to reform other critical sectors of society, which are essential to the success of Albania's EU integration path.
As we prepare for the upcoming NATO summit in DC, I would like to assure you of Albania's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability. We believe that it is essential to continue working together to guarantee regional stability and repel external malign influences, as we shared during our meeting in Tirana.
I believe the time has come for the Alliance to convene a full Summit in the Western Balkans, for the first time ever. After our discussion in Tirana, I would like to reiterate Albania's intention to host the 2027 NATO Summit, immediately following the one to be held in 2026, which Turkey has generously offered to host.
As an allied country, Albania has always shown its unwavering commitment to the unity and values of the Alliance. Moving forward to host the NATO Summit, it reiterates its role as a beacon of the Alliance's values and purpose in this part of Europe.
This event would be of historical and strategic importance for both the region and the Alliance. It would send a strong message that the region is of strategic importance to the Alliance.
Thank you again, Secretary Blinken, for your visit to Tirana and for your continued support of Albania's efforts to promote democracy and stability in the region.
