On Friday, Prime Minister Edi Rama and US Assistant Secretary of State Karen Donfried discussed Albania’s reforms to strengthen the justice system and to advance the country’s bid to join the European Union during her visit in Tirana.
“We discussed extensively the positive progress of reforms, the strengthening of justice, strategic investments in energy, Bulgaria’s veto on Northern Macedonia, the situation in the region, as well as the full support that the United States gives to the Open Balkans,” Rama announced.
In addition, Donfried expressed the US appreciation for Albanians work as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The senior diplomat is touring all six Western Balkan countries this week, amidst growing concerns over possible effects in the region after the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
On Thursday, she met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Tirana to discuss the shared priorities of EU integration for all six Western Balkan countries and the justice reform in Albania.
Donfried also met with a number of Democratic Party MPs who are opposing Sali Berisha’s movement within the largest opposition party. The main opposition leader in Albania’s modern history, Berisha was designated by the US State Department over corruption last year. Enkelejd Alibeaj, the head of the PD parliamentary group who is leading a number of MPs against Berisha’s plan to be elected party chairman, said he had received the US support for a “pro-American opposition that looks toward the future.”
In conclusion to her Western Balkans tour, the US diplomat will travel to Montenegro today, where a new minority government was established one day earlier.
