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Rama to French magazine: Albania may be small, but it is part of the essential European balance

2026-03-26 09:43:52Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Rama to French magazine: Albania may be small, but it is part of the essential
Edi Rama

Prime Minister Edi Rama, in an interview with the French magazine "Le Point", stated that Albania supports the US stance towards Iran, emphasizing that Tirana has no diplomatic relations with Tehran after the 2022 cyberattack.

Rama stated that Albania has a special experience with the Iranian regime, also mentioning the sheltering of around 3,000 members of the Iranian opposition MEK in the country.

He stressed that Albania is not afraid of threats, recalling the country's tradition of sheltering people in need, such as Jews during World War II and Afghans after 2021.

The head of the Albanian government underlined that the country remains steadfast in its pro-American and pro-European orientation, while supporting international dialogue, but excluding regimes it considers terrorist.

He also spoke about Albania's European integration, emphasizing that the country aims for membership in the European Union, and rejected allegations of corruption and money laundering in Durrës, describing them as unfounded.

Full interview:

In the war between the US-Israeli coalition and Iran, while most European capitals are calling for a reduction in tensions, why do you support Washington's hard line?

I have not chosen a radically different position from other European countries, but Albania has a particularly close history with the murderous regime in Tehran. Today, Albania is among the few countries that does not have diplomatic relations with Iran.

You were the target of an Iranian cyberattack in 2022…

Yes. The attackers belonged to a group ranked among the 10 most dangerous in the world for cyberterrorism. After that attack, we decided to sever all relations with Iran. This aggression occurred because we harbor an Iranian opposition group.

You are housing about 3,000 MEK members. Iran has called this base a legitimate target. Are you afraid?

Never ask an Albanian if he is afraid. We are not afraid of anything. During World War II, no one liked Jews. This country, although poor and predominantly Muslim, became a haven for them. Albania went down in history as the only European country to end the war with more Jews than it had at the beginning.

Did the US ask you to wait for them?

Yes, and we said yes. But we also sheltered over 4 thousand Afghans after 2021, when others turned their backs on them. In Albania we have an old code: “God and friend”. If you are a friend, we protect you.

Are you afraid of Iranian threats?

We are a NATO member country. Attacking a NATO country is not simple. We are protected.

Does this rapprochement with the US risk dragging Albania into escalation?

No. There is no single European position. And this is about a country that has declared hostility towards us, not the other way around. Albania has its own experience with dictatorship.

Macron says regime change doesn't come with bombs. Are you on a different line from the EU?

There is no single EU line. I am not talking about regime change, but about making this regime incapable of attacking its neighbors.

Is the US-Israeli coalition acting effectively?

Absolutely.

Can Albania be seen as the "black sheep" among EU candidate countries?

Albania is not in the European Parliament. And again, there is no unified EU position.

Will Albania buy European defense systems?

We will buy European, Israeli, and American – whatever is needed.

What about the Sazan Island project linked to Jared Kushner?

We are not privatizing the island. The Albanian state will be a partner in this project.

Your relationship with Jared Kushner?

I welcomed him as an American friend. Personally, I find him and Ivanka to be extraordinary people – simple and modest.

You participated in Donald Trump's Peace Council. Why?

Albania has no relations with Russia. But it worries me that Europe has not maintained diplomatic dialogue during the war in Ukraine.

You have called the UN a "giant in agony"...

Yes, and I hope this will spur reform. The UN needs to reinvent itself.

Does this make Albania a US "Trojan horse" in Europe?

I don't believe it. Europe remains a place where elections are free.

Should Europe talk to everyone?

Europe has always known how to talk to everyone – it must regain this ability.

So your idea is dialogue with everyone?

With everyone except terrorists like the mullahs' regime in Iran.

Would you accept the return of Albanians expelled from France?

Always. It's their home.

Why should the EU accept Albania?

Europe must complete the project of the founding fathers. Albania may be small, but it is part of the essential European balance.

What about concerns about corruption?

These unsourced claims are part of the global problem today. Durrës is not a major money laundering center. There are problems everywhere, not just here./ Le Point


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