Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted a festive dinner with foreign ambassadors to our country this evening.
Rama gave a welcoming speech, wishing for a peaceful new year, for Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Rama said that some "familiar faces" were not present at the meeting, due to "travel abroad" and highlighted the absence of the Russian ambassador. The head of the Albanian government said that this was not his choice, but that of his country, which unjustly attacked Ukraine.
The Prime Minister further said that 2025 is an election year in Albania, and did not spare a joke, saying that the ambassadors already know "who will be the winner."
Excerpts from Rama's speech:
This year is full of challenges and opportunities, and a new year is coming soon. On this occasion, I feel somewhat sad to see the absence of some familiar faces, friends of this country, who had to travel to other countries. I send my heartfelt greetings. I also warmly wish the young people, I am confident that they feel at home. As we approach the new electoral year, I am sure that questions about this will come quickly to your memos. I am sure that you know who will be the winner. For whoever you vote for, I am sure that they will stand with the values of the EU, in support of the path towards the EU. Albania has no plan B, only one, to join the EU.
I wish the Russian ambassador's chair was not empty. But this was not our country's choice, it was his country's choice to attack an independent European state, bringing suffering. Ukraine and its brave people deserve our admiration. May the new year bring peace. I also hope that the new year will bring peace between Israel and Gaza, as well as the release of the hostages. Expecting peace with Hamas is as impossible as rebuilding Europe after World War II alongside the "SS" troops. I hope that the new president in the White House will bring more opportunities to strengthen our bond.
I hope that the new year will ask us to fly again to open new Chapters. We want to close at the end of 2027. I know that they will not make it easy for us. Albania's place in Europe is ours to take, not yours to give. Some European capitals questioned this. Let me express a special greeting to you, to your colleagues in the Western Balkans. We do not agree on everything, in a region that not long ago we did not sit together. This is our moment and it is time not to waste it. Albania will work tirelessly for the region by promoting peace and cooperating for dialogue with everyone.