Cameron: We are interested in helping reconciliation in the region, Pristina-Durra railway, very important project

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron thanked Albania's prime minister, Edi Rama, after he told him he is a friend of the Western Balkans.

Cameron, who is staying in Tirana on an official visit, said after meeting Rama that it is in common interest to help in the reconciliation process in the region.

Thank you for what you said I was a friend of the Western Balkans and the region. This is actually a big compliment to me. In fact, I have a very straight and simple view, since the Western Balkans succeed, Europe succeeds. If there are problems in the Western Balkans, then there are problems in Europe as well, because it is in our common interest to help with the process of reconciliation, economic growth and understanding, and for me this is a priority and has been a priority even when I was prime minister and I will continue with this work”, Cameron said.

The British chief diplomat cited the Pristina-Durra railway project, which he said is a very important “, not only for Albania, but for Kosovo as well as for the entire region”.

And what I can say from the British point of view, and I speak here on behalf of our Prime Minister Richi Sunak, is that this has been, is and will be one of the most productive and positive partnerships for us. For exports, for example, they have increased by 20%. We have very exciting projects, like the railway you explained, from Pristina to Durres, which will be very important, not only for Albania, but for Kosovo as well as for the entire region. It's actually a very positive relationship from the defence aspect to the field of protection. Not only the NATO partnership and the work we are doing to achieve Ukraine's NATO membership, but in fact the direct support we give to each other. So, a partnership also in terms of fighting organised crime and serious crime. We are also gladly helping modernise your judiciary, as you continue your reforms”, Cameron said.

He said he feels the special satisfaction he visited Albania.

And one of the reasons why I wanted to come, and I'm sorry it took so long and it's been a short visit, but one of those reasons is to celebrate your successes, because Albania is really a success story, in economic terms, success in NATO, you've also successfully done the impossible and an excellent job with a very big leadership at the Security Council, and for that I want to thank you, for your leadership. Not only because you have won more elections than I have won and you continue in office, but because you have given such clear direction as to where you want Albania to reach and where Albania should be in the realm of NATO and the European Union”, Cameron said.