Prime Minister Edi Rama called on Albanians living abroad to invest in Albania, during his speech at the 4th Diaspora Summit, emphasizing that the country is closer than ever to integration into the European Union.
Rama compared the Albania of the past with that of today, while emphasizing that the role of the diaspora is essential for further development.
"Albania does not end where its territory ends. It lives wherever we Albanians live. Beyond your individual success stories, you kept the invisible thread connected... This thread is not nostalgia, but our strategic asset," Rama said.
The head of government described the diaspora as part of the heart of national life and not its periphery, seeing it as a bridge between Albania and the world. According to him, Albanians abroad have built successful careers and ventures, gaining respect in the international arena.
Rama described Albania as a "great site of transformations," acknowledging the challenges that accompany development, but underlining that progress is tangible and continuous.
"Albania is a huge construction site that invites the diaspora to invest... there is dust, there is dirt, there is noise, but we only have to look back to see how far we have come," said the prime minister.
In his speech, he also emphasized that impunity in Albania belongs to the past, stating that today no one is above the law and that justice is more independent than ever.
"Impunity is a myth of the past... today Albania is a country where no one is above the law and justice is independent as it has not been since 1912. Back then, Albania was left with the door of negotiations to be fixed, today we have opened all chapters and we have done this in record time of just 11 months because just like you, when the door was closed in your face in those first steps on the streets of the world and when no one had the time, respect and trust nor attention to listen to you and understand how much you were worth, but you persisted and after going to dinner and wiping away your tears from the humiliation of the day, you returned in the morning to persist in waiting, being ready for the door when it opened and Albania persisted and was ready when the door opened," said Rama.
The IV Diaspora Summit, which began with an official ceremony, brought together Albanians from all continents and aims to strengthen cooperation, promote national identity and foster the country's development.
