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| Biden and Blinken (archive) |
In the letter addressed to Meta, Biden described the achievements of Albania after 1991 as impressive, when the two countries have established close relations. He recalled that Albania is "a close friend of the United States and an important NATO ally."
"The United States of America is proud to call Albania a friend, partner, and ally," said President Biden.
He said that the United States will continue to support the democratization and development of Albania and its integration into European structures.
Letter from President Joe Biden to President Ilir Meta:
"Dear Mr. President,
On your Independence Day, I congratulate Albania on behalf of the American people!
This year we commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the re-establishment of our diplomatic relations and celebrate a friendship based on family ties and history, as well as on our democratic values and commitment to human rights, which we share together.
What Albania has achieved since 1991 is impressive.
Today, Albania is a close friend of the United States, a key NATO ally, and a new member of the United Nations Security Council.
Albania is also showing the world its great hospitality by hosting as well as providing safe shelter to Afghans at risk.
The United States of America will continue to support Albania as you strengthen your democratic institutions, accomplish important reforms in the justice sector, fight corruption to ensure a transparent and equitable business climate for Albanian and foreign investors while following your European future.
Our growing bilateral trade and investment relationship, especially in the important energy sector, is key to Albania's recovery as well as deepening our partnership.
I want to wish the Albanian people, and on behalf of all Americans, a peaceful Independence Day!
Blinken's statement appears with almost the same warm tones:
Press statement by the US Secretary of State, Anthony J Blinken, on Albania’s Independence Day
November 28th, 2021 – On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Albania as you celebrate your 109th Independence Day. Our deep and enduring friendship dates back more than a century to when President Woodrow Wilson emphatically defended Albania’s independence at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference.
Since that time, Albanians have demonstrated great strength and resilience by casting off the oppression of a communist dictatorship and building a democracy committed to tolerance, human rights, and European integration. Albania demonstrated that spirit again this year by opening its doors to Afghans in need, and they continue to provide safe harbor as they did for thousands of Jews during World War II and other groups fleeing persecution over recent decades.
In 2021, we marked 30 years of restored diplomatic relations, reflecting on all that Americans and Albanians have accomplished together since 1991. Today, we are Allies within NATO and next year we will serve together on the UN Security Council. The United States is committed to supporting Albania’s democratic institutions, justice, and economic reforms, and future in the European Union.
We look forward to deepening our friendship even further, and we remain proud to call Albania a friend, partner, and Ally.