Hollande receives Rama in Paris

The French President, François Hollande, received the Albanian Prime Minister at his residence. In this meeting were present the Foreign Ministers of the respective countries, Ditmir Bushati and Laurent Fabius.

The focus of the discussion was the European Integration, but more details were given after a meeting with discussions about economy, culture, police and the military.

France avoided press release about the status issue, although the hesitating stance of France was shown in the past meeting of the member countries representatives for Balkan. Four days later, the representatives of the Albanian government feel more optimistic after the meeting with the French President.

Although the decision for the candidacy of Albania is not reviewed by the Parliament, as in many other countries, but only through the government, the Albanian delegation held meetings with the President of the Senate, Jean-Pierre Bel, and with French businessmen interested in investing in Albania, especially in infrastructure and energy.

Rama: Meeting, beyond expectancies
“Europe needs Balkan, Hollande will visit Albania”

The Albanian Prime Minister declared that the meeting with President Hollande went beyond his expectancies, and that Europe needs Balkan as much as Balkan needs Europe. Rama declared that the French President promised to visit Tirana. When asked if he fears the reaction due to the tone and the direct language, Rama declared that he speaks openly as an European.

TCH: How did you visit affect the stance of France?

Edi Rama: We will see that after the official statement of France, but I can say that the meeting went beyond the expectancies. The communication with the President was very open and friendly, and the Albanian people should expect the French President in Albania for a visit in a reasonable time for him.

TCH: What arguments did you use in favor of Albania during the visit?

Edi Rama: We spoke about the regional importance of the European Union integration issue, and certainly that I reiterated that Albania and Balkan need Europe as much as Europe needs Albania and Balkan. I believe that the messages that were given were very clear. We talked with details about the cooperation aspects between Albania and France in the economic and cultural exchange areas.

TCH: Don’t you think that the tone used in your speech during the efforts for convincing the European members could have an opposite effect?

Edi Rama: I don’t think that I have used strong tones. They might sound different from what has been heard for decades. I speak openly, as an European. I don’t have complexes about this and whoever has no complexes hears my thoughts without reserves, regardless if they agree or not.

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