Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama reacted today after the lack of invitation to participate in the informal dinner of the leaders of the Western Balkans and the European Union, which took place last night in Athens.

“This is my answer to all those, in Greece, Albania or elsewhere, who commented in different ways or were confused by my absence in Athens, but also to journalists, who asked for my opinion and did not receive an answer before the event. The reason is simple: I didn’t want to disturb the host and his guests by increasing the noise before my good friends, gathered in Athens, to finish their work,” writes Rama in a post on social networks.

“I am happy that Kyriakos took the initiative to host very important leaders and to discuss the European future of the Balkans against the background of Russian aggression. The region needs Greece to be more involved in our common path. I have always told him [Mitsotakis] or other Greek friends, saying it publicly on several occasions, that I sincerely believe that their country has a natural role to play in the Balkans, given its profile and experience in the EU,” wrote Rama.

“I very much hope that the meeting was productive and of course, I would have preferred not to have seen the dinner used to send Albania a contradictory message in the frame of the goal much more ambitious of the initiative and I hope that this unfortunate fact does not confuse the honored guests. As far as I’m concerned, talking, communicating, arguing with friends, allies, partners and neighbors, first and foremost, is the essence of international politics and to try, always try, to put yourself in the other’s shoes is a must. Even more so when things seem to be going wrong,” continues the Albanian Prime Minister.

Rama emphasized that next October, Albania will chair this annual Berlin Process Summit in Tirana.

“Of course, my dear friend and highly respected colleague in Athens has been invited to attend, and I could never imagine responding undertone, inviting in his place the Greek president, for whom I also have the greatest of respect,” he added.

“I understand the pressure from third parties, eager to take advantage of every opportunity to make things look hotter than hell. But we all have much bigger challenges ahead. There are real mountains to climb. What should unite us in such troubled times for the sake of our people, our countries, our region, and our Europe is greater than what divides us. There are many global risks, in the case of which, we should avoid to become hostage of internal clannish politics,” wrote Albanian Prime Minister.

/a.p./