Escobar: Sali Berisha is the past, I don't know any person who through elections has managed to change their position on the US

Sub-Help Secretary Escobar: My visit here is not absolutely related to local elections. It's part of the regular consultations we have with close allies. And Albania is a close ally. I have to say that in terms of the Kosovo-Serbia issue, what we have in this new normalisation agreement is a historic agreement for friendly, constructive relations between two partners who have not had much faith. That agreement, which was made possible by the European Union, supported by the United States, was supported in almost every aspect by countries in the region. The negotiations took place in northern Macedonia and would not have happened without their support. But it was also supported by the governments of Albania and Croatia and others in the region. And we see a very important role for Albania in regional stability. And that's proven.

Escobar spoke of relations between the two countries, saying Americans are the most pro-Albanian country in the world and expressed support for Albania's Open Balkans initiative and for European integration.

The hottest topic currently, local elections were the focus of the interview Mr. Escobar gave to Top Channel.

Sub-Help Secretary Escobar: Look, I think all political parties have an obligation on people to make sure that candidates are not corrupt, that they have people's interests at heart. We are not able to elect candidates or members of political parties. Our relationship with Albania is with the people of Albania, not with one party and not with one person. So in this direction, when you ask whether there will be a reaction from the United States if the parties are not clean, if candidates do not meet the highest standards of anticorruption and all other democratic standards, the response should come from people, not the United States. This is a job for the people of Albania, not the United States.

While Sali Berisha has emerged on the battlefield of the electoral race, the United States of America calls him a representative of the past. Mr. Escobar ruled out any possibility of revising status grant to Berisha.

 Sub-Help Secretary Escobar: First of all, I think our position for this particular individual is very clear. But I would say that I don't know any person who through elections has managed to change their position by the State Department under our legislation. Yes, that said, I think Albania has a really extraordinary future and should focus on the future. And there are a lot of people who would like to pull it back into the past and I don't think this is a place where Albania wants to go.

Mr. Escobar says it is up to Albania's institutions to investigate corruption and prosecute them everywhere they can. And that's why reform in justice is so important, because it's not for America to do this job in the name of the Albanian people.

And every government, whether this or its successor, has an obligation to people to ensure that this happens. The American envoy for the Balkans did not comment on the McGonial issue that is under investigation in the United States, but spoke of Russian money.

Sub-Help Secretary Escobar: The only thing that's so true is that Russia intervenes in democratic elections across Europe, not only here, but also Western Europe, in the United States as well. And there are people who are willing to accept Russian money on behalf of advancing Russia's agenda, which is not a positive agenda for this part of the world. I would just say that we should continue to discuss this and be very clear to each other what expectations are and what sharing information, when we see, what Russia is doing in this part of the world, because it (Russia) does not share the same goals as the United States and Europe for the Western Balkans. We're trying to create greater involvement. We are trying to create a way for these countries, including Albania, to become members of transatlantic organisations, including the European Union. Russia is doing just the opposite. So we're very skeptical about everything Russia does in the political and economic sphere.

Gabriel Escobar has protected Ambassador Yuri Kim, who is in a personal attack by the declared énon grata '% Sali Berisha.

Escobar said what the American ambassador is doing is exactly what the Secretary wants to do. “It's not personal. It's a policy issue. I think everybody should know this”He says.

Sub-Help Secretary Escobar: I think there's a risk that there are people who are using anti-American feelings for personal political gain, and that doesn't help our strategic or your interest. So, I would be very, very suspicious of anyone who drives or promotes anti-American lines because everything we've done, especially in the last two years, has been to deepen strategic relations between the United States and Albania. And I have to say that Albania takes a very privileged position in our foreign policy. We consulted you and you were part of almost every global event because of your partnership with the United States. And we have been helped to advance our values and goals in Europe from our partnership with Albania, not only in NATO or the UN Security Council, but also bilaterally. So, I would say that anyone who preaches any kind of anti-Americanism, actually doesn't mind Albania's interests.