Ambassador Lu: Reforms and the fight against terrorism are key priorities

For US Ambassador Donald Lu, the main priorities remain reforms and the fight against terrorism. The new US ambassador, has presented his credentials to President Nishani and then held his first press conference.

"In Albania they say it is important where you come from, from which village or city you are." These were the first words of Lu, who presented his family. "So let me say where do I come from.

I come from a coastal city in California, known as the city of surf. California is a multiethnic city, where people from all over the world come to find new opportunities. My father comes from China, took a ship to the US with just a few dollars in his pocket and that journey was very difficult.

He was a successful mechanical engineer and is hobby are old cars. My mother was born in San Francisco to immigrant parents. After finishing university, she became a computer programmer.

My brother, sister and I have not been rich, but our parents saved their money to educate us. The family lives in California even today. My dear wife is here. She is a talented specialist in the field of public health. We have two children, 9 and 13 years old, who are very happy in Albania ".

Lu continued his speech mentioning the three priorities that Washington has for our country: "Support for reforms in the country towards EU membership; Albania's development as a NATO ally; assistance to strengthen democratic institutions ".

According to him, EU candidate status is a great achievement that "Albanians should feel proud. I support the efforts of Albania to join NATO and the EU. This is a boost for Albania's efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime and improving the business climate.

We want Albania to be a strong ally of NATO, a country which has helped us a lot in its military missions ".

Lu considered as important the "justice reform and the strengthening of NGOs in our country. Relations between the two peoples and governments are strong. I will work to make them even better. 

I know that the Albanians expect more from our embassy because of the friendship between the two countries. The US Embassy and the US will continue to be true and sincere friends of all Albanians ".

The US Ambassador also referred to the event that has shocked worldwide, the attack in France. "One of the important areas that we need to work together is the fight against extremism. The attack on "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris was not just an attack on innocent people, but also an attack on democratic values. The US is concerned about foreign fighters participating in Syria and we should strengthen their partnership with countries when they return home. This way we will prevent such a negative phenomena ".