Blinken thanks Albania for bid to shelter Afghan refugees

In a statement issued Thursday by State Department spokesman Ned Price reportedly in the conversation held Wednesday,“Secretari and Prime Minister discussed NATO ally Albania's offer to temporarily accept Afghans in need. Secretary Blinken also thanked Prime Minister Rama for continuing Albania's proud tradition of housing people in need”. The spokesman Price reportedly reporting “Secretary (Blinken) and Prime Minister (Rama) reaffirmed the close partnership between the two countries”.

The State Department announcement comes at a time when Albanian authorities are continuing preparations to host Afghan refugees who are leaving their country for fear of Taliban threats.

In the airport's military section in Rinas, tents have been set up, where Afghan citizens will be offered first services. The centre, according to Albania's Foreign Ministry announcement, is equipped with medical and first aid umbrellas and has a capacity of 400 people.

Albania's Foreign Minister, Olta Xhacka, who has been appointed co-ordinator for the humanitarian operation to assist Afghan citizens, said Wednesday that the situation is being pursued minutes after minute in co-operation with the Allies and that all measures have been taken whenever the first plane arrives. Minister Gacka also visited the Student City buildings Wednesday, where Afghan refugees are expected to be initially accommodated.

Afghan citizens, according to official reports in Albania, “will stay for a few weeks at these centres, to move later to several hotel facilities on the coast pending the procedure for their transfer to their final destination”, Who are the United States.