Joint press conference of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Luigi Di Maio following bilateral meeting:
Prime Minister Edi Rama: Good afternoon everyone!
First of all, allow me to wholeheartedly thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, His Excellency Mr. Di Maio, but I can say it convincingly, although this is his first official visit to Albania – he is a friend of Albania and Albanians, who, despite his busy schedule he still found time to visit Albania and express solidarity on behalf of Italy with Albania and Albanians at these difficult times in the aftermath of Nov 26 disaster.
I would like to publicly reiterate it, because, although I have stated it constantly, expressing gratitude to Italy, the Italian government and the Italian search and rescue teams will never be enough as they were the first ones to land in Albania and risk their own lives to come to the rescue of this country’s people.
The relations with Italy are excellent and I am very glad to affirm that the relations with the new Italian government in place are also excellent in the light of our strong tradition of friendship that has never shown any sign of influence on one country’s domestic policy regarding the quality of this relationship.
There are many things about which Italy and the Italian government deserve appreciation. But without wanting to speak longer, I would like to say first and foremost that I thanked Foreign Minister for Italy’s, Italian government’s and his personal constant commitment to take forward the process of European integration of Western Balkans and Albania in particular.
We also discussed aspects of our strategic partnership with Italy. Italy has been and remains our main partner, the first in trade and economic relations and beyond doubt the country that has always been unsparing in support of Albania’s transition from a dictatorship to a functioning democracy.
At conversation with the Minister, we also touched on justice reform and legislation against the Catch What You Can, organized crime as well as special unit against corruption. Minister reaffirmed Italy’s readiness to support not only in mainstream terms through technical assistance, but also with expertise, human resources and concrete daily cooperation.
Next year marks 10th anniversary since the Strategic Partnership Declaration between Albania and Italy was signed. And we want to deepen Italy-Albania strategic partnership in all areas of common interest. As a matter of fact, the common interest is building up in the world we share that is becoming increasingly complex.
Concluding, I thank the Minister for support of Italy towards Albania with the assumption of OSCE presidency and I want to assure that in this capacity we will do our best and it will be an added value to our cooperation.
Dear Luigi, thank you very much for your presence. The floor is yours.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio*: It was with a great pleasure that I had a cordial and fruitful conversation with Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom I thank for the hospitality and for dedicating these hours during which we were together. The main reason I am in Tirana is not only to foster the historic friendship between the two countries but also to express solidarity on behalf of Italian party in the aftermath of Nov 26 earthquake, to express the support of Italian civil emergencies but also to anchor Albania down its path to EU integration.
Prior to the meeting with the Prime Minister, I had the opportunity to visit a tent camp set up by Italian Civil Emergency Department in Vora, which has accommodated about 300 Albanian citizens. I also had the opportunity to attend the ceremony of signing the agreement on the Italian Civil Defence supplies.
It was with this spirit that I conveyed to PM of Albania the unshakeable support of Italy on the European journey of Albania and North Macedonia despite the decision to postpone the opening of accession talks by European Council on Oct. 17-18.
Italy insists on the need of taking a positive decision for both countries and setting a date for the first cross-govt. conference but also to grant the Commission a mandate to prepare the frame of negotiations. It was in this spirit that I expressed to Prime Minister also our wish that all political stakeholders in Albania to further commit themselves to restoring such a political climate so that it doesn’t compromise Albania’s European integration path, allowing at the same time that the country’s growing potential are best tapped, easing also tension and having channels of dialogue open.
As to bilateral relations, our ties are excellent. Italy is Albania’s top foreign trade and investment partner regarding the number of Italian-owned enterprises in the country. We have all the potential to further develop our relations.
We are glad to intensify our common fight against corruption and ensure better coordination of relevant authorities to step up exchange of information and experience.
It was a fruitful and necessary conversation because I had the opportunity to assure PM of the affinity and support of Italy towards Albania not only in EU accession process but also in the aftermath of earthquake. EU can do more and it will certainly do more. Indeed, the resources that were made available represent only an initial step and the first stage of aid, because the Albanian people will not be left alone by the Italian people and in the coming days we will have the opportunity, at the European-level meetings too, where both Prime Minister Conte and Italy, in all other parallel meetings, will make the case for the assistance Albania needs to return to normality, and this must also convince the European Commission to stand by the Albanian people.
We will work strongly also in the Donors’ Conference and here with me is the Head of the Italian Civil Emergencies Department and I pledged to Prime Minister that Italy will send its technicians to make a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by earthquake in order for the Donors’ Conference to have a clear picture of the situation. We also wish that the Donors’ Conference will be held in Tirana. The location is important, yet the level of affinity that all member countries will show for Albania is way more important. It is a dramatic event and I would like to extend my condolences to Prime Minister and the families of victims who lost their family members, but it is also the case for the European institutions to demonstrate affinity with Albania, because Albania is a friendly country to Italy the European Union too.
The work we can do together in combating illicit phenomena, which somehow affect the whole Mediterranean area because, as I said, we fight through the implementation of new laws. We have adopted a new law on fiscal evasion and corruption, but shared synergies and joint work can also help Italian companies increase their investment and what we can do, just like as I expressed my compliments to the Prime Minister, with Albania being always positively positioned when it comes to tourism development policies. It is worth highlighting that Albania is a very beautiful country geographically.
I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate the Italian Ambassador Alberto Cutillo, who has closely worked with all Albanian institutions. We at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs need his presence and I congratulate the Ambassador on his new assignment, because the job he has done over these years has been extremely important. The diplomatic staff accredited here has also helped to further cultivate our friendship and our relationships.
I would also like to express special thanks to you Mr. Prime Minister and the Albanian people. Italy is here, it is a real and great friend and we are close to you throughout this process and EU enlargement, which is a crucially important process, not only to Europe, but also to the Balkans.
Thank you!
* Simultaneous interpretation
