Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a visit to Dublin, Ireland, at the invitation of the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), commented on the protests in Albania, the war in Ukraine and relations with Russia. Before an audience of experts on European and Balkan affairs, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, Rama answered questions about the protests against the government and the allegations of corruption.
Asked about citizen participation in the protests, the prime minister disputed the figure of hundreds of thousands of protesters, arguing that it does not match the country’s population or the size of the boulevard. Rama acknowledged that Albania has problems with corruption, but claimed the government is fighting it for the first time. He also repeated the claim of foreign interference through social networks, mentioning Iran, but stressed that he had not said the protesters were sent to the square by the Iranian regime.
Question: But hundreds of thousands of Albanians have taken to the square also over corruption or other problems…
Rama: Hundreds of thousands is a figure that does not match our population and the size of the boulevard. In June there were indeed some massive protests, and we committed to bringing the state closer to Albanians sooner in terms of online services. It is a fact that there was foreign influence; I did not say the protesters were sent to the square by the Iranian regime, but I did say that Iran has put its hands through social media. After early June the protest was not the same, there are no more flamingos. There are other birds, and political parties from the extreme right and extreme left. Then there was violence. Are there problems with corruption? There are, but are we sitting with our hands tied or are we fighting it? We are fighting it for the first time. Until some time ago the system was corruption. We are in a good position.
Question: A meeting is taking place in Abu Dhabi on Ukraine, but the security architecture of Europe is also being discussed. How do you see the situation in the war in Ukraine? Do you have any idea how all this can be brought to an end?
Rama: Europe has always tended toward diplomacy, not toward armaments. This was a mistake from the first day. Europe that outsources this peace effort to Trump and Witkoff will remain in history as something blameworthy. Since I was a child, my grandmother was sure to tell me that neighbors are not our choice, they are what they are. Russia is not going anywhere; that does not mean the war will continue forever.