Albanian PM Edi Rama sees ‘better future’ for Balkans

Rama said the AA Albanian service, which officially began broadcasting on October 1, was “very good news” for Albania.

“I heard about Anadolu Agency Albania broadcast through the media. I believe that Anadolu Agency will be successful in Albania and play an important mission in the region,” he said on Tuesday.

Rama also stated that a conference which hosted the leaders of Balkan counties in Germany last August had been a historical event for the Balkans.

‘A new page’

“The Berlin conference was a historic conference for the Balkans because it showed the awareness and needs of Europe in a concrete way to the Balkan countries,” he said.

“I think the Balkans is necessary for Europe and Europe is also necessary for the Balkans. The Berlin conference opened a new page; our part is to seek ways to collaborate in all areas without delay in the region,” he added.

Rama went on: “2014 was the first year for a long time that the Balkans did not experience any conflict on the borders between the Balkan countries.”

“Although the Balkans have a large potential for development and growth, this potential should be presented for the benefit of regional cooperation in the region,” he said.

‘Unity for a better future’

Rama is due to visit Serbia on November 10 in the wake of the Euro 2016 qualifier football match between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade’s Partizan Stadium which had to be abandoned amid an outbreak of violence and a pitch invasion.

He said of the official visit – the first by an Albanian Prime Minister in 67 years: “I believe my visit to Serbia will be a new beginning for the entire Balkan region. However, this new era requires unity for a better future.”

“We must leave behind everything about the past which led to many conflicts and bloodshed. We must write a new history on peace and regional cooperation,” he said.

 For the first time in 67 years Albanian Prime Minister will pay an official visit to Serbia.