Prime Minister Edi Rama met today the European Commissioner for Migration, Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is on an official visit to our country.

The main topic of discussion between the parties was the crisis of migrants from conflict areas, and the perspective of Albania’s membership in the European Union. The parties expressed the view that the migratory crisis that Europe is facing today has highlighted the need for a collective response, and therefore an increased cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries is required.

The head of the Albanian government assured the senior Brussels official that Albania will remain loyal to the European values and to the commitments to be part of a common European solution for the refugee crisis, while noting that unilateral decisions cannot provide a solution for the crisis.

“Albania is ready, as it has been and will always be within reach and our capacity to take its role in the framework of a joint plan of the European Union”, Prime Minister Edi Rama said.

On his part, the European Commissioner for Migration, Dimitris Avramopoulos expressed his appreciation for Albania’s readiness to give its contribution to a coordinated European solution, while adding that the European Union will support it in every step. “Albania is not alone. The European Union is at your side, and let me congratulate you with gratitude because although you are not an EU member, your attitudes are faithful to the values and principles by which every EU member country should be guided “, Commissioner Avramopoulos said.