Arvizu: On a crossroad again

06/10/2011 00:00

The celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of
diplomatic relations between USA and Albania have continued with a
symposium organized by the Institute for International Studies, with the
topic “Albanian-American Relations, Building the Future”, in which was
also present the Albanian President, Bamir Topi.

The US Ambassador, Alexander Arvizu thanked all those who contributed in improving the relations between both countries in the last 20 years. Speaking about the history of these relations, Arvizu underlined five most important events.

“In 1991, George Bush was the President and James Baker was Secretary of State. They invited the Albanian Foreign Minister, Muhamet Kapllani, to participate in the ceremony for reestablishing the diplomatic relations with Albania. This was an important moment in that dramatic year. Two weeks later, Albania held the first pluralist elections, making the second most dramatic event of that year. Three months later, under the high temperatures, the Secretary of State, James Baker, made the famous 1 day visit in Tirana. At the time there was a young man, who was leading the Voice of America in Albanian. He accompanied Baker as his interpret. Today he is with us. Can you stand up, please, Mr. Biberaj? We are grateful for your contribution on that day and many others that followed. On that day, on 1st October 1991, the US Embassy opened the doors and the latest event of that year happened a few days before Christmas. The career diplomat, Edwin Ryerson, was appointed by the Secretary Baker as the first ambassador to Albania after 50 years of broken relations”, Arvizu declared.

Arizu used this symposium for giving a message to the Albanian political class.

“Here we are today, 20 years later, on another crossroad. We have always seen that blaming others doesn’t work. Albania needs a reform today as well, because it is clear that this would bring new opportunities for the Albanian people, who have clearly chosen where their future belongs. Albania’s perspective is up to the Albanians. The Albanian leaders must make the correct choice for progressing with the EU integration. Today, as 20 years ago, we are offering our assistance and encouragement for continuing progress”, the ambassador underlined.

The Albanian President declared that this is an event with a special significance.

“Our politicians appear in public as followers of the western values, but not all of their actions and decisions are consistent with these democratic standards. The ambiguous behavior, with a great difference between speech and deeds, should have been by now a characteristic gone with the transition. We often hear someone saying that the Albanian citizens are some steps ahead the politics for the vision and sacrifices they are doing for recovering the lost time”, Topi declared.

The guests visited a photo exhibition, in which the US embassy portrayed its activities in the years and projects realized by USAID.

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