Joint press conference of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin:
Prime Minister Edi Rama: Hello everyone! I would like to underline that it is with great pleasure that today we welcome the Prime Minister of Finland on the first visit since our two countries established their diplomatic relations and at a very complex moment for Europe, NATO, and for the whole community of democratic nations.
I would also like to wholeheartedly thank the Prime Minister for Finland’s unsparing and generous support for Albania’s European integration process, for the Finland’s consistent fair and honest attitude towards us and for the help that Finland has given us in this case, without actually knowing what sort of support it has provided us indeed, when some other countries create difficulties for the domestic policy reasons, I always cited the case of Finland and always used to say “how come that Finland does not have these problems with us, although it is a globally-recognized country, as the country with the highest standards of transparency and accountability across our continent. So for that I am grateful to you.
Third, we are together on a front against Russian aggression on Ukraine and Finland has a lot to show and to teach us and everyone else, because thanks of its history and position, it knows the aggressor very well and its nature and being a country having had the opportunity to learn many lessons from its neighbourhood with Russia, I think Finland has its very respectful say when it comes to understanding how important resistance is and how important it is the relation – that some refuse to recognize-between what is happening in Ukraine and what may happen somewhere else and can even arrive right here. In this context, the Balkans is a weak, fragile link and that is why Finland’s experience and voice are very important for the whole community.
On the other hand, together with the Prime Minister we discussed what is about to happen or not to happen – you name it – in the coming days, regarding the formal opening of the accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia through the start of the intergovernmental conferences. I told the Prime Minister that I do not actually expect anything new from this month’s European Council meeting. However, the European Union and European countries, including Finland, are all trying to convince Bulgaria to open a path of reason and to liberate the process. We are also very grateful for that.
On the other hand, we confidently support Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO. It is about two countries that are an added value of the North Atlantic Alliance in every respect; moreover now when the Alliance’s doors must be wide open for the accession of Finland and Sweden. Not only that, but we also feel privileged to be granted the opportunity to do something for Finland and that is no small feat.
Thank you very much!
Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin:
Thank you so much, dear Prime Minister Edi Rama. I am so pleased to be visiting Tirana at last. Your warm hospitality and our inspiring discussion only confirm that we must do more together. Albania and Finland are both constructive members of the international community.
Albania and Finland already have very good relations dating back since 1956 when Europe looked differently. We are both working hard to deepen European integration and strengthen the Euro-Atlantic community. Most importantly, together we will help Ukraine and try to make Russia stop its cruel war against our friends. Russia’s aggression on Ukraine has changed our collective security environment for generations. Finland and Sweden have applied for NATO membership, where Albania is an important and active member.
Albania is a firm supporter of NATO’s open door policy both in principle and in practice. Your voice sends important messages to Russia and other authoritarian regimes.
Albania and the EU have fully cooperated on sanctions against Russia and it is vital that the EU and the Western Balkans are in full harmony with each other and united. Finland is a long-time and strong supporter of EU enlargement. We want all Western Balkan countries to join the EU, when they fulfil the criteria. Our primary aim is to start accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania without delay. We want to support Albania’s accession to the EU.
