Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday hosted the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, becoming the first Danish prime minister to visit Albania.
After the bilateral meeting and the talks between the two government delegations, Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen held a joint press conference:
* * *
Prime Minister Edi Rama: Good afternoon! It is really a special pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister Frederiksen to Tirana, because this is the first visit by a Danish prime minister to Albania and it is definitely a historic visit in this respect. On the other hand, it is also a special pleasure, because the Denmark’s Prime Minister, although she is visiting Albania today, she has actually been literally present at an extremely moment for us, when a catastrophic earthquake that left over 15 000 people homeless and I will never forget the fact that the Prime Minister was among the first to text me and expressing readiness for help to address any need.
Albania and Denmark have a history of very good diplomatic ties. Denmark has been present in the entire process of Albania’s transformation, either through its aid agency, but most importantly it has been politically and diplomatically present as a strong supporter of Albania and the Western Balkans in the process of European integration.
On the other hand, history in recent years has seen overlapping serious crises. We have had the opportunity to communicate with the Prime Minister during the pandemic and I have appreciated hear previously and I would avail myself of this opportunity to thank her again today for her readiness to share experience with us, although nobody had been through such a pandemic previously, but namely the experience and the ways how Danish authorities were coping with the COVID-19 and in this sense it has been quite a significant help, just like it was her support and a number of European leaders to include the Western Balkans in the initial coronavirus vaccine distribution schemes, which actually happened at a later phase, but it is definitely better late than never.
It is also the latest crisis, namely the war crisis triggered by the Russian aggression on Ukraine, that brings us together again and we absolutely share the same conviction, same position and objectives. As such, the Danish Prime Minister’s visit here bears great importance for the geopolitical ties between the united Europe and the Western Balkans, and for the relations of this country with the Western Balkans.
I would like to tell the Prime Minister that we are witnessing a significant increase in the number of Danish tourists visiting Albania and direct flights from Copenhagen to Tirana have increased year after year. We also see a growing interest in Danish entrepreneurship. I don’t mean a number of internationally famous architects, who are already present in Tirana and have contributed to the transformation of our capital and to other projects outside the capital city through their exceptional talent and discipline. I am also talking about other businesses in the field of energy or trade.
So I very much wish and hope that the Prime Minister’s visit – being a significant character on the Danish social media and having many new followers on her social media pages – will encourage a growing number of Danish tourists to visit Albania and I hope that despite her short stay in Tirana and we did our best to host her during “Danish-like cloudy weather” so that she could felt at home, I still hope that she will not spare the good words about Albania and for Tirana and the invitation for others to visit as soon as she returns to Copenhagen.
Thank you very much Prime Minister for your visit and allow me say that I am really happy that you are at last here, because you should have normally visited Albania much earlier, but your trip was postponed because of the COVID pandemic and the situation that ensued. Allow me also say that I don’t consider this your last visit, not only because you will win elections in Denmark again, but also your stay is very short to be considered as your last visit.
Thank you!
Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen: Thank you very much Prime Minister for your hospitality today in Tirana.
I am very honored to be the first Danish Prime Minister to visit Albania. I consider you a very good and close friend and I always enjoy our conversations when we meet in meetings or on the phone or the video calls, but today we have the opportunity to have a direct discussion with one another.
I think you have a strong say in Europe when it comes to the Western Balkans integration and the rest of Europe and this is becoming increasingly important. So, I would like to thank you for the invitation and I would state that Albania is a very trustworthy partner for Denmark and a very trustworthy NATO partner.
At a time when the European Union is more important than ever before, I hope that we can build an even stronger partnership, and I am very sure that we will be able to do so.
Ten days ago we recorded the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and this was one of the main topics at today’s meeting. You have clearly and strongly reacted to this situation through your commitment at the UN Security Council. You have joined the EU sanctions since the very beginning and Albania is a strong supporter of Ukraine. I think this is important for everyone and, as you already noted, we must all be aware of the fragile situation that exists in some countries of Western Balkans.
I believe that your commitment to European values is important and that this is one of the strongest points in Albania’s EU accession process. I know that there’s a lot that needs to be done and that a lot of solutions and reforms are needed, but I know you have the necessary capacity and we will support you in your path.
I am very sorry for all the effects of the war. I know many people are encountering troubles because of the inflation and soaring energy prices and we need to work together on these issues as well.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the importance of building stronger cooperation when it comes to internal migration in the EU, but also when it comes to external borders.
Once again thank you very much for welcoming us today and for being such a strong voice, when it comes to European values.
