Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali published a photo on social media yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, enthusiastically stating that the meeting was part of a transatlantic dinner between representatives of NATO member countries.
The same thing happened with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, who posted a photo with Rubio, adding that she was at the reception organized by President Trump. "With Secretary Rubio, a substantive conversation last night at the reception organized by President Trump," Osmani wrote.
But in reality, the photos of the two Albanian officials look more like casual encounters in the corridors of UN activities than genuine diplomatic meetings. Because, if it were about official discussions, they would take place in a protocol format, accompanied by statements from both sides, as happened with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Unlike Spiropali and Osmani, Vučić held an official meeting with Rubio, accompanied by statements from both sides. Rubio announced on Twitter that the Strategic Dialogue between the US and Serbia, as well as EXPO 2027, were discussed. Vučić also emphasized that the conversation focused on the economy and trade, especially the issue of US tariffs.
So the contrast is clear, Vučić uses trips to the UN to strengthen his country's interest, while Albanian representatives reduce diplomacy to a photo album for social networks. In other words, when others make deals, we take selfies.
But if Spiropal is understood as coming from the political terrain of baseless propaganda, Osman is not forgiven for these mistakes. Especially at a time when relations between Kosovo and the US have suffered a blow that must be recovered as soon as possible!
