Prime Minister Edi Rama is attending the Delphi Economic Forum, while having a conversation with Alexis Papahelas, editor-in-chief of the Kathimerini newspaper.
“We are a member of NATO, but it’s not like we put a lot of effort into it. When NATO does something good, we say we’ve done something great, when it does something bad, we say it’s their fault. Because the big ones take the blame, the small ones can also take some credit. I don’t think the Balkans are forgotten, we are in the best of times!” Rama said at the start of the conversation, referring to the progress of the countries in the region towards the European Union.
According to the head of government, Albania, along with other Western Balkan countries, have never been so close to the EU.
While Albania is in a good position for its European aspirations, Rama was asked why around 500,000 Albanians have left the country during his government.
“It’s not an exact figure, but yes, Albanians have continued to leave and I think it’s normal for a country that has gone through 50 years of complete isolation,” the prime minister replied.
He then spoke in figures regarding economic growth, focusing on gross domestic product, foreign investments, and the record increase in the number of tourists.
Papahelas pointedly asked him “is organized crime a factor in Albania”, while Rama gave a firm answer, emphasizing the complete independence of the judiciary to act against this phenomenon that, according to him, exists everywhere.
He highly appreciated the relationship between Albania and Greece, while also clarifying the property impasse.
“The property problem even in areas where there are ethnic Greek citizens is not at all different from the problems that Albanian citizens have in the same area or anywhere else. It is simply an Albanian problem, which we are dealing with! Because we have a very important level of understanding and respect for the Greek minority, which is a cultural treasure, we have paid special attention to you. Here I want to congratulate Mitsotakis, who has been really persistent on this. You are at the head of a major newspaper, they can come and get information, it would be valuable if you do an accurate report with facts that we will make available to them”, declared Rama.