Statement of Prime Minister Rama, following the today meeting with senior officials in the Netherlands:

“Intensive meetings, open conversation, will of Dutch friends and partners to listen to us thoroughly. And above all, honestly, pride for the work done in all these months, which not only is seen and valued, but it is also a very solid basis to speak up and to demand what we deserve. There are more reasons to take in June what we deserve, and which we should have taken in December. And we hope that, in the aftermath of the European elections, it will be easier to get it and not leave it to internal debates and prejudices of some member countries, as it happened last December and, as it is quite clear also to this day, to all those who have eyes to see and who know how today’s Europe works.

We believe that the Progress Report will be the basis for judgment of all member countries. We want to believe until the end that none of the member states will steer clear of that precise commitment we got together in December, because they will need another report to show that great progress observed in the first months of governance is consolidated and it will be enough for member countries to express themselves.

Let’s see, because Europe is always less predictable and increasingly connected in the way of the future itself with the problems of today.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Netherlands, at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The first meeting the Prime Minister had was with Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, who expressed appreciation for the work and impressive governance of these months.

Then, Prime Minister Rama met with counterpart Mark Rutte.

Prime Minister Rama briefed his counterpart on developments in Albania, government reforms and initiatives taken especially against corruption, illegal trafficking and organized crime.

Prime Minister Rutte congratulated Prime Minister Rama on the progress that Albania has made in these months, and said that the Netherland will continue to support Albania in its reforms.

Prime Minister Rama, speaking about the path of Albania and the Balkan region towards the EU, stressed that the Balkans need Europe, as much as Europe needs the Balkans.