“The egg thrower had come from England”: Rama with New York Albanians — “I was here with Thaçi…”

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting today, September 26, with Albanians in New York.

Rama said he had been at this place years ago with Hashim Thaçi.

He declared that the national diaspora registry is the window for investment in Albania.

“I was here years ago with Hashim Thaçi. I believe that since then many positive things have happened for the diaspora. Now there is not only an economic link between Albanians in the diaspora and Albania. The diaspora’s financial remittances are definitely important, as they are a reminder for people in Albania and for the homeland.

90 percent of Albanian families have benefited from the diaspora, and for this we will be endlessly grateful. The diaspora is no longer just a reminder, but a partnership that has entered the path of development; we have built organs of one body, we have diaspora institutions. Today we have summits, where assessments are made and commitments undertaken. We also have the Diaspora 2030 strategy, which includes care for Albanians living abroad.

We have started keeping a diaspora registry, for those who want to invest in Albania. This change in relations happened in mindset. The national diaspora registry is the window for investment in Albania. The eggs thrown at me are a sign that there is dynamism. One of the egg throwers had come from England, and I hope he had a good time with the New York police. I found myself the same as in Albania — police and protesters alike, just like back home,” Rama said.