Prime Minister Edi Rama’s interview for “Cinque Minuti” talk show with Bruno Vespa

–Good evening, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, who has just returned to Tirana after a visit to Rome, where he signed an agreement, somehow a landmark agreement, with Giorgia Meloni, under which Albania will contribute by making available two seaports to house immigrants rescued and seized either by Italy’s coastguard or the navy. Prime Minister, how did this accord take place?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Thank you for the invitation! It is always a pleasure and honor to be with you. This agreement emanates from the humble gratitude that is always with me and with all of us Albanians to Italy and when Italy asks us to lend a hand, even though we can’t tackle the serious problem of immigrants, we are honored to do so. That’s it.

-So, the camps will be under the Italian management.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: It is about a reception centre and a facility where all the verification and registration procedures will take place. Everything is done in line with the well-defined European Union criteria.

-Over the past few days, even the Nazi extermination camp survivors, including Edith Bruck, are seemingly skeptical and doubtful, because it is most likely that terrorists or persons who hate Jews may arrive from Muslim countries. What do you think about this?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: You are asking me question of an enormous weight about an issue that is unfortunately becoming increasingly complicated and which is precisely the question of how to be the Europe of values ​​and rights that are so dear to us and, at the same time, we should be able to distinguish between those who flee death and those who benefit or fall prey to the traffickers and even the networks that supply this type of traffic. 

Certain European countries have openly rejected the idea of ​​receiving and accepting people of other religions and colors, but we have witnessed that when it came to the Ukrainian refugees, they were really open to receive them, because after all, they are white and they are Christians. Meanwhile, there are other realities in European countries like Switzerland that not only have they always been open to welcome everyone without any distinction, but also they are going through a very difficult moment now.

-Thirty years ago, it was the Albanians who came to Italy in large numbers as immigrants, while now it is the other way around. Many Italians now come to Albania to invest and work in Albania.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: If Albania is a destination for Italy today and if Albanians in Italy, as well as in Albania have a future this comes in large part from the fact that when we were refugees, when we were leaving hell, Italy welcomed us with open arms and granted us what is the most precious thing for a human being, the future. And looking to the future, people are all human beings, whether they are Muslim or Christian, but striking a balance here is a very complicated matter.

-Thank you, and congratulations! We are looking forward to seeing you in the European Union as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Have a nice evening! Thank you very much!