What happened today with the suspension of the Director General of the State Police and the detention of two of its leaders, imposes on me to publicly apologize to our friend and partner, the Italian government. What happened is unjustifiable, and for Albania it is one more bell ringing for the national emergency of the Judicial Reform.

I strongly support the point of view that the explanations provided by Italy through the Italian ambassador, without any constraint, but just as expression of the sincere friendship and of the best will to shed light on the political legend of interceptions, should have been enough for the Albanian institution of prosecution to not be involved in such an ordinary political machination.

But unfortunately this did not happen, and today our friends and partners who have proved to be such in every tough day for Albania in the last 25 years, are entitled to feel hurt by their indirect involvement in an absurd investigation, and even worse, by the extreme action taken by the prosecution today.

In addition to apologising for this “oddity” that has damaged not little the course of an excellent cooperation, from which Albania and Albanians have benefited so much throughout all these years that we will never be able to repay our good neighbours, I want to assure our great friends and invaluable Italian partners of our deepest gratitude and highest consideration.

Statement by Prime Minister Edi Rama