Prime Minister Edi Rama stated in New York that Albania has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, highlighting economic growth, infrastructure development and the strengthening of institutions in the fight against corruption.
During his speech at the gala evening of the Albanian-American Relations Council, Rama said that the country has achieved results that, according to him, not everyone readily accepts.
“How much Albania has changed over these years. No one forgives you for success. Yes, this is the fifth or sixth year that we have had the largest airport in the region. It is very large not only in relative terms, as it is the fastest-growing airport in Europe, but also in absolute figures, with more passengers than Belgrade Airport. It will continue because this is only the beginning,” Rama said.
The head of government also addressed the perception of corruption in the country, arguing that European partners consider it a success that institutions are taking action against it every day.
“We Albanians see as a problem what our European partners see as a success. The question is: can a country have more corruption if it is being fought every day? In the past, corruption in Albania was everywhere and the fight against it was nowhere. Today, we see something different. We see it because Albania’s democratic system has begun to build its own immunity,” he said.
According to Rama, the functioning of independent branches of power, despite challenges and shortcomings, shows that corruption no longer goes without consequences.
In his speech, the Prime Minister also cited changes in environmental protection as an example, recalling the ban on hunting and the expansion of protected areas.
“This is a great success for a country where, 10 years ago, animals and birds were being slaughtered by thousands of European hunters. Today, the country protests for biodiversity. After we banned hunting, expanded protected areas and prohibited the exploitation of forests, we tripled the number of birds and animals, as well as the area of recovered forests,” he said.
In conclusion, Rama said that citizens’ expectations of the country have changed.
“We now have a new Albania. People want more. The Albania where people lived with the idea that the country could be worse no longer exists,” the Prime Minister concluded.
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