Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the Albanian community in Michigan. He highlighted the diaspora’s role and Albania’s growing presence on the international stage.
Rama also spoke about the upcoming NATO Summit in Tirana. He said hosting the summit reflects Albania’s growing role within the alliance.
“Albania will host the next NATO Summit. The leaders of the most powerful military alliance in history will gather in Tirana to discuss the alliance’s future and take further steps,” Rama said.
Moreover, Rama said Albania has gained greater respect internationally despite its size.
“Albania once knocked on doors that did not open. Today, it no longer waits in the corridor. It takes part in the spaces where it belongs,” he said.
According to Rama, Albania is strengthening its economy, democracy and state institutions.
Rama also highlighted the contribution of the Albanian diaspora in the United States. He described Albanian-Americans as an important bridge between Albania and the United States.
He said distance has not weakened their connection with their homeland.
“Albania is a shared heritage for all of us. Each of us contributes in our own way, whether in Tirana or in Detroit,” Rama said.
He also said Albania’s international image has changed.
“Today, Albania is a name and a flag that everyone respects. When people respect Albania, they also respect Albanians,” Rama said.
Furthermore, Rama said the American dream has not erased the diaspora’s Albanian roots. He said Albanians can build successful lives in the United States while continuing to contribute to their homeland.
Rama also recalled Faik Konica’s diplomatic mission to Washington in 1926. He described Konica as Albania’s first representative in the United States.
“Konica came here to give Albania a voice, a face and an address,” Rama said.
A century later, Rama said, hundreds of thousands of Albanians now represent Albania across the United States.
“Today, Ervin Bushati has it much easier than Faik Konica. Hundreds of thousands of Albanians represent their country every day,” he said.
Rama described the diaspora as Albania’s “everyday ambassadors”.
“Whenever an Albanian succeeds here through their work, Albania also rises in the eyes of America,” Rama said.
Finally, Rama stressed that the diaspora has expanded Albania’s presence beyond its borders.
“Albania covers 28,000 square kilometres. But thanks to you and many others, Albania’s presence is much larger today. More than ever, Albania is both there and here,” he said.
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