Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Yuri Kim said on Tuesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Albania on Thursday will focus on “the future of Albania, the future of the Western Balkans, and that of Europe”.
Kim spoke in a press conference call alongside Assistant Secretary of State James O’Brien regarding Blinken’s visit to Albania and Munich for the Security Conference.
“The visit comes as we enter the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Albania relations and at a time when we want to thank Prime Minister Rama and the Albanians for their role as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council from 2022 to 2023. Albania is now in the Human Rights Council,” she said.
In a statement by State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller a few days ago regarding Blinken’s visit to Albania, it was said that Albania is “a key partner for stability in the Western Balkans and a steadfast ally in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
Former Ambassador to Albania Yuri Kim said that Blinken will highlight United States cooperation with Albania.
“We want to thank them for being key hosts for Afghans in need and Albanians continuing their historical tradition of sheltering those at risk,” Kim said.
She said that Secretary Blinken will be in Albania from 11:00 in the morning until 7-8 in the evening, and during the visit, he will meet with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as appear before the media with Rama.
Ambassador Kim also said that Secretary Blinken will also meet with a group of around 100 young people who have studied in programs offered by the United States such as Fulbright and the International Visitor Leadership Program, IVLP.
She said the meeting is important not only because it will be a conversation with young people who have studied in the United States but also because it is held at the Pyramid, which was once a symbol of communism and oppressive and isolating regimes.
“But about two years ago, the Municipality of Tirana and the Albanian-American Development Foundation collaborated to turn the pyramid into the core of an incubator for innovation in technology, so I think it’s a beautiful idea,” she said.
In his comments, O’Brien said that at the Munich Conference, where Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a keynote speech, Secretary of State Blinken will emphasize support for Ukraine amid the conflict in the Middle East and tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The Deputy Secretary of State said that the United States will also ensure allies’ unwavering support for Washington, addressing concerns following former President Donald Trump’s comments about NATO.
