Blinken wishes Albania: Prides We Call Friends

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has congratulated Albanians on the 1-09th anniversary of Albania's independence.

Blinken writes in his message that Albanians have demonstrated great strength and stability by rejecting the oppression of a communist dictatorship and by building a democracy dedicated to tolerance, human rights and European integration.

He emphasises that the US are committed to supporting Albania's democratic institutions, justice and economic reforms, as well as the future in the European Union, while stressing that they are proud to call Albania friend, partner and ally.

THROUGHOUT

On behalf of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Albania for the 1-09th anniversary of Independence. Our deep and lasting friendship dates back to more than a century when President Woodrow Wilson firmly defended Albania's independence at the Peace Conference in Paris in 1919.

Since then, Albanians have demonstrated great strength and stability by rejecting the crackdown on a communist dictatorship and by building a democracy dedicated to tolerance, human rights and European integration. Albania demonstrated this spirit again this year by opening its doors to the Afghans in need and they continue to offer a safe port as they did for thousands of Jews during World War II and other groups fleeing persecution over the past decades.

In 2021, we marked the 30th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations, reflecting on everything Americans and Albanians have achieved together since 1991. Today we are allies within NATO and next year we will serve together at the UN Security Council. The United States is committed to supporting Albania's democratic institutions, justice and economic reforms, as well as the future in the European Union.

We expect to further deepen our friendship and remain proud to call Albania friends, partners and allies.