Interview of Prime Minister Edi Rama for Israeli television i24news, at the conclusion of his visit to Israel:

i24news: Israel is celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations with Albania, a NATO member and Muslim majority country. One of the most significant factors in the closeness of ties is Albanian’s historical role in saving countless Jews from the Nazis during World War II. To mark the occasion, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem. And now we have the distinct pleasure of having him here in our studio.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, good evening and thank you for being with us tonight.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Thank you!

i24news: Let’s begin by recapping your meeting with the Prime Minister Netanyahu today. We know that you discussed bilateral agreements between the countries, whether it’s on trade or water. But can you talk us about the deals between the two countries that are expected specifically on the issue of security?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: I am much honored to be here in Israel as Prime Minister of Albania, because as you already mentioned and we have a very proud history of the salvation of Jews. No one Jew was released to the Germans, and a big role in this miracle was played by Muslim families. And in the same time, in these 25 years, we have reconnected and strengthened our relation, which was broken unnaturally by the communist dictatorship for 50 years.

We discussed with the Prime Minister Netanyahu talked about, of course, terrorism and the common threats that our world of democracy, human rights and values is facing, and we shared the common understanding that Albania can play a very important role in this fight, not least because we are part of a region where there is a multi-religious society, and where of course there is a lot of work to be done in terms of prevention and intelligence.

In the same time we also discussed about how to strengthen economic cooperation and how to make the best out of the very clear Prime Minister’s will to help Albania and to support our efforts in the way of developing our country. And finally, very happily we signed the “Declaration of Friendship” between the two countries.

i24news: I do want to expand on your point that you made about fighting terrorism. There is of course a growing concern across Europe now. In the neighboring Macedonia there is a fear of an Islamist power growing. How big a concern is this within Albania?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Frankly speaking, I think that we are so far in a very good place, and regionally we are in the best place we have ever been, because there is dialogue and comprehension among all countries and states, as never before. But in the same time, in Albania we have a specific situation, which Pope Francis during his visit named “religious fraternity” among Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox Christians and other communities. And in the same time, we very much fear that if we don’t do the right work to strengthen and promote this tradition, we are vulnerable, we are vulnerable in all of the region. Therefore, the fight against terrorism is not simply counterattacking by all means, but also winning the hearts and minds of the people, and fighting poverty and social marginalization. But concretely, with our partners, we can and we are engaged in doing much more work in terms of intelligence and information exchange.

i24news: And on the issue of vulnerability, it is also related to the issue of migration that has affected Europe in several places this past year. Macedonia dealt with it in a very, very difficult way. How is Albania coping with the crisis?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: We are not touched by, because we are not part of the route that goes from Turkey to Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and up to northern Europe, but we are prepared to deal with it. Our country knows what it is to deal with migratory fluxes that are provoked by wars and bloody conflicts, because we had to host half a million refugees that were escaping Kosovo under the pressure of the ethnic cleansing machine of the then dictator in Belgrade. So, we are ready to help and we are committed to be solidary as it is in our best tradition.

i24news: In 2009 Albania joined NATO. How has this changed the country’s position, especially now with the increasing conflict within the Middle East, NATO is becoming a more and more crucial and powerful player and factor?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Being part of NATO for us was a dream come true. It is not simply about being part of the NATO allies, but it is being part of a club of countries who have gathered because of very clear values and principles that have to be defended. At the same time, being part of NATO, we have not taken advantages, but we have also been contributing. We are very active in all peacekeeping missions and will continue to do so. And of course, as a NATO member country, we are also under threat from terrorism and violent extremism. But it is what it is, and we take our share of responsibility.

i24news: Just to close. We opened with history, looking back at the moment when Albania sheltered Jews fleeing the Nazis. Looking to the future now, where do you see the relations between Israel and Albania going?

Prime Minister Edi Rama: I would like to see much more happening. I was just a few minutes ago saluting President Peres in his fantastic Center for Peace, where we talked about the future more than the past, and had the opportunity to share our opinions and emotions in front of the Jewish-Albanian community living here, whose members have passed an important part of their lives under the communist dictatorship in Albania. I strongly believe that we can do more, but first of all I am very committed to learning as much as possible from Israel and from your great experience in many areas, not only from what you have, but also from what you know.

i24news: Certainly sounds like a hopeful visit. Prime Minister Rama, once again welcome to Israel and thank you for joining us today.

Prime Minister Edi Rama: Thanks for inviting me! It was a pleasure!