Rama with the Albanian community in Staten Island: the Diaspora Summit was born here; emigrants play a key role in the economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the Albanian community in Staten Island, New York, where he stressed the important role of the diaspora in Albania’s economic development and in improving the lives of Albanian families.

During the meeting, the prime minister recalled that the idea of the first diaspora summit was born right in Staten Island.

“In 2015 I was invited here in Staten Island together with Hashim Thaçi, and at that dinner the idea was discussed for the first time of what, a year later, became the first diaspora summit in Tirana, where we were together with Hashim Thaçi,” Rama said.

According to him, over the last 10 years the link between the diaspora and Albania has evolved significantly.

“Ten years from that summit, I believe many positive things have happened, and the link of the diaspora with Albania and of Albania with the diaspora — which until then was summed up only in the remittances that Albanian emigrants sent to Albania to help families survive hardships — has turned into a link where much more happens and where bridges have been raised through which interests pass, investments pass, and many returns of Albanians to the motherland, whether to co-finance various projects with friends and relatives, or to stay in Albania,” he stressed.

The prime minister noted the extraordinary contribution of Albanian emigrants, calling it a great honor for the country’s history.

“In these years there is a fact that does great honor to the Albanian diaspora and puts every Albanian emigrant on a special pedestal of our history. The fact is that 90 percent of Albanian families have benefited at least once from the diaspora’s financial remittances. Nine in ten Albanians have raised the roof over their heads or improved their lives thanks to you — the family member, the friend who stood by them in difficult days. This is a great honor that will cover with glory the Albanian diaspora of all these years,” Rama further stressed.