An unprecedented statement by Albania's Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku , has caused a scandal during her speech at a business summit with Turkish investors in Tirana.
In an effort to promote economic cooperation, Balluku surprised those present by praising the Ottoman sultans – the former conquerors of Albania – and taking them as an example of inspiration for today's Turkish entrepreneurs.
"The reasons why a Turkish enterprise should come and invest in Albania... have not changed much from the reasons why Bayezid, Murad, Mehmet, Fatih, wanted to settle in Albania," said Balluku, causing shock and harsh reactions for glorifying figures who symbolize five centuries of conquest and captivity.
Belinda Balluku's speech: I welcome you and I assure you especially those who have visited Tirana for the first time, which must be a few of you, that in these few days that you will stay in Tirana or visit Albania, you will undoubtedly fall in love with this country and will find it difficult to leave. This economic summit is not only a platform to discuss investments, but also a living reflection of the close relations that exist between our two countries, Albania and Turkey. The partnership between Albania and Turkey is built on trust and a shared vision for development and stability in the region. Today I am here to further strengthen these bridges of cooperation, to explore new investment opportunities and to give a new impulse to our economic relations. The reasons why a Turkish enterprise should come to invest in Albania without wanting to blaspheme history with this comparison have not changed much from the reasons why Bayezid, Murad, Mehmet, Fatih, wanted to settle in Albania. Albania has a dynamic market that brings unparalleled advantages to all those who invest money in these 28 thousand square kilometers. We are a small country on the map in terms of surface area, but big in opportunities. But Turkish businesses, Turkish investors, have discovered this since the first time Albania opened its doors in the 90s.