Albanian media debate on Ministry's statement on the US ambassador Yuri Kim's replacement

 

 The announcement of the Foreign Ministry two days ago about the departure of the American ambassador in Tirana, Yuri Kim, has become a topic of discussion in the Albanian television studios.

Në përgjigje të interesimeve të medias gjatë gjithë ditës dhe për të shmangur çdo spekullim mbi “heshtjen” e MEPJ, konfirmojmë se procedura e zëvendësimit të ambasadores Kim ka nisur zyrtarisht, ndërkohë që për emrin e ambasadorit të ri procedura nuk na mundëson të bëjmë komente.

— Albanian MEFA 🇦🇱 (@AlbanianDiplo) December 8, 2022

The director of the Peace Institute at Columbia University, David Philips, said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania, with the announcement it made about the start of the procedures for the replacement of the US ambassador in Tirana Yuri Kim, showed immaturity.

In an interview for the 'Review' show in Euronews Albania, that Albania-USA relations are important, adding that this process in this case has been undermined.

"It is the role of the State Department spokesperson. It is common for such an announcement to be made for the ambassador's departure. This is an example of Albania's immaturity. Relations with the USA are very important and this process that seems to have happened in this case should not be undermined," he said.

Philips added that the Albanian government does not follow the rules of the State Department and does not implement them and according to him, this is a lack of respect.

"The Albanian government does not follow the rules and does not implement them. This shows a lack of respect for international partners, especially for the USA, which is critical for Albania. Albanian officials have had information regarding the delivery of this notice. Albanian officials may have information before, but this does not mean that they should publicly publish this before State Department, this shows immaturity on their part" - he concluded.

On the other hand, the journalist Ferdinand Dervishi said that this is being done for the head of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (Known locally by the acronym "SPAK") as there is information that the ambassador is influencing to place an American at the head of this institution. On the other hand, he said that Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka has it personally because there is a case that deals with her corruption in SPAK.

While the lawyer Kreshnik Spahiu said that the USA faced an ingratitude of the Albanian government at the end of Yuri Kim's mandate.

Spahiu underlined that Kim and the USA have understood the theater of Rama and Berisha.

"The American ambassador was forced to come out today and give a clear message to the public, so the entire Albanian people should hear about it. As long as Edi Rama is prime minister, Sali Berisha will not be investigated. As long as Berisha is the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama will be the prime minister. Now Yuri Kim and the USA are clear that there is a political theater between Sali Berisha and Edi Rama, there is a very big disappointment for the USA, which at the end of Mrs. Kim's mandate have faced ingratitude from the government", he said.

As for the reaction of the Foreign Ministry, Spahiu said that this ministry violated the ethics.

"In an unprecedented case, the Foreign Ministry has publicly dealt with the end of the mandate of the American ambassador. The Foreign Minister is not State Department", he said.