At precisely 11:13, the plane carrying U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken touched down at Tirana's "Mother Teresa" International Airport in Albania.
 |
| Antony Blinken in the middle and representatives of Albanian Justice |
In his first visit to Albania, the head of American diplomacy was accompanied by Yuri Kim, former ambassador to Albania, now in a higher position at the U.S. State Department. Their hosts... Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in our country David Wisner.
After a brief respite at the hotel, they headed to the embassy, where they met with staff and a delegation of Afghans sheltered in Albania.
Blinken went to the office of the President of the Republic for a meeting that lasted almost 20 minutes. Bajram Begaj also serves as the General Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania.
Their next destination was the Pyramid, where Blinken met with young people who have participated in exchange programs between Albania and the United States. This conveyed the message that investing in youth will be a fundamental commitment in shaping the diplomatic relations between the two countries in this second century.
While the Prime Minister headed towards the government building, Antony Blinken talked with the leaders of the Justice institutions, who were waiting at the Pyramid in a separate area. After 15 minutes, the President of the Constitutional Court, the head of the Supreme Court, the Head of the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), and the High Inspector of Justice emerged from the meeting, while the Secretary of State headed to the Prime Minister's office.
U.S. support for justice has been precisely one of the topics discussed between the U.S. Secretary of State and Prime Minister Rama. Both officials confirmed this during a press conference, with Rama revealing that judicial reform will continue.
He excluded the Albanian opposition from the official agenda. The Secretary of State deemed the meeting unnecessary.
From Tirana, the American chief diplomat sent a message to Kosovo and Serbia to pursue the only path, which according to him, will provide a solution to tensions.
Prime Minister Rama deciphered the diplomatic language of the high-ranking American official as a direct appeal.
After announcing that NATO's base in Kuçovë will be inaugurated next month, Blinken revealed that another base in Porto Romano was also discussed in closed-door meetings. However, according to him, this will be a decision of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance.
A concern remained with Prime Minister Rama, who said he had set the table for bread, but the friend will not stay.
With two signed memoranda and 8 hours of meetings in Tirana, Antony Blinken concluded his visit to Albania, becoming the sixth Secretary of State to visit our country.