Former Albanian ambassador: Albania Draws Close to Russia

Tarifa stressed that Russia is a great power and that Tirana should not fear the relationship with it. Tarifa also said on the show "Arena" that strengthening relations with Turkey is no concern.

<x0.>Pop peoples don't have permanent friends; they have only eternal interests” quoted Tarifa as saying that Albania should maintain relations with the US, but should not be forgotten that this state co-operating closely in the Middle East with the most dictatorial state, Saudi Arabia.

“I don't see with any kind of concern a kind of Turkish presence here. Neither in economic investments nor in a closer relationship with Turkey politically. I would not see with concern any approach to Russia, which we fear as evil, as much as on the anniversary they had a few years ago we only sent the ambassador. Russia is a great power, we don't have to be afraid of our relationship with him. Peoples do not have permanent friends; they have only eternal interests. We have to start with national interests, which require that we maintain good relations with great powers, of course with the US. The closest US ally in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia, the most despotic place you can find. I would be concerned about any initiative that does not fit Albania's economic and social interests”, Tarifa said, a seditious statement regarding the position many diplomats and former ambassadors hold at television studios.