Rama: The Albanian’s house belongs to God and to the guest; without emigration we would have achieved nothing

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was a guest at the gala organized by the Council for Albanian-American Relations in New York. During his speech, Rama recalled the contribution of Albanians living in the United States and the role of emigration in the country’s successes. He described as “disgusting and shameful” the slogan “Albania belongs to Albanians,” stressing that Albania has always been hospitable.

Quote 1: “Over these months I have heard a disgusting and shameful slogan that became very popular in Albania: ‘Albania belongs to Albanians.’ But if the countries where Albanians went and flourished had taken the same stance, none of us would have been able to do anything. We would simply have stayed home. Imagine for a moment if America belonged to Americans and all Albanians went back home. Where would we be? We would be in neo-Nazi era 4.0,” Rama said.

Quote 2: “Albania belongs to God and to the guest, just as the Albanian’s house belongs to God and to the guest. Of course it is the Albanian’s house, but in the Albanian’s house there must be room for everyone who knocks and comes, and for offering help,” he added.