Video message by Prime Minister Edi Rama following meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio during visit to Rome to discuss further support from the friendly Italian nation in view of Albania’s National Rebuilding Program ahead of the International Donors Conference on 17 February in Brussels:

Greetings from Rome, where we had two important meetings with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in function of the Rebuilding program ahead of the Donors’ Conference on Albania due to take place on 17 February in Brussels under the auspices of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

I did of course thank Prime Minister Conte and the Foreign Minister Di Maio for the friendly Italy’s invaluable assistance and support only a few hours after the Nov 26 devastating earthquake. I informed them on the work on preparing the rebuilding plans, as well as the damage assessment report, which is expected to complete in the coming days in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations. A final estimation has yet to be determined, but the considerable data on damages we have gathered to date suggests a total amount of around one billion euros.

We will do whatever it takes – also with the support of Albania’s great friends, with Italy being undoubtedly one of the closest ones – so that the Donors’ Conference turns out to be a success. However, we clearly know that this amount might not be sufficient to fully cover and deliver on the extraordinary need, but we are well prepared to take some more courageous actions in financial terms after the Conference, taking advantage of the high macroeconomic stability achieved over all these years of reforms, as well as by combining several funding schemes to support Rebuilding program, without cutting other investment and development projects, as well as the social protection programs.

I am very grateful and truly encouraged by the special attention and full readiness either Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have demonstrated, while we will continue with a meeting with Chancellor Merkel early next week and further on with some key high-level contacts so that the Conference turns out to be a success.

I would also like to inform you that the rebuilding plans are running on schedule to allow the start of work to construct the initial private homes ahead of spring and complete construction of homes in rural areas within 2020. Work is also underway on the rebuilding plans within the perimeter of the worst-affected cities, where the interventions will be massive and the designing process naturally a bit longer. However, we are still well in line with the established deadlines and, in the meantime, it is clear to everyone, and I would like to reiterate that we will continue to cover the rent payment for every property where the quake-affected families are currently housed until their new homes are finally built. We are also on schedule when it comes to the ambitious calendar of schools rebuilding throughout the affected area, as well as the regional hospital in Laç, along with five health care centers that need to be built from scratch. I am well aware that a single day lasts too long for the affected people and this is really a tiresome wait time, but I would urge everyone, please understand the need for patience. Everyone should show full patience and confidence that no one will be left alone.