Foreign but also local reports suggest that Russia has its influence in the Balkans and of course in Albania. Some say that in Albania there are many spies devoted to Russia. However, in that sence we bring this declaration of former Albanian Ambassador in US, that someone may consider it as a kind of Russian influence in Albania, or may consider Fatos Tarifa a kind of spie.
Former US Ambassador to the Netherlands and US, Fatos Tarifa, stated that we should not be afraid of approaching close ties with Turkey and Russia.
Invited to the "Arena" show of the journalist Dritan Hila, Tarifa said that Russia is a great power and Tirana should keep in touch with it.
"Since Turkey is considered a strategic partner, it is a good thing for me to think it is a visionary policy.I do not see in kind of concern of a Turkish presence here and a closer relationship.
It's a great power in the region.
I would not see with concern either a reunion with Russia.
Russia is a great power.
Lord Palmerson said that peoples do not have eternal friendships, have eternal interests," Tarifa declared.
Tarifa stated further that the relations with the US should also be maintained, but recalled the close relations that the world's most powerful state has with Saudi Arabia, which he described it as a despotic country.
"We have to start from national interests, which seek to maintain good relations with the great powers, certainly with the United States.
The Middle East's narrowest US ally is Saudi Arabia, the most despotic country you can find.
I would be concerned about any inertia that does not fit the economic and social interests of Albania," Tarifa said.