During an interview on the show "Opinion", Prime Minister Edi Rama revealed for the first time what happened between him and Lulzim Basha, the former leader of the Democratic Party, in what is known as the May 17 agreement.
Rama said that he spoke with Basha alone in one of the halls of the Parliament. According to him, Basha got everything he asked for and had the blessing of Sali Berisha.
Blendi Fevziu: It remains a mystery and I have never asked you about a famous meeting of May 17, 2017 with Lulzim Basha. In these 35 years, it is one of the big agreements that you have made because Nano-Berisha have made an agreement.
Edi Rama: Blessed by that other one 100%.
Blendi Fevziu: Can you tell me some details, what happened?
Edi Rama : I can't help but say what poor Luli can no longer say. I say it for Luli, not for myself. What do you want to know?
Blendi Fevziu: Today, after so many years, how did it happen that two people got involved, made an agreement, shared everything, and it was resolved. Meanwhile, there was a dispute that had been going on for years?
Edi Rama: Hoyt [Brian Yee] comes to me, talks about the region, talks about Kosovo, about Montenegro and I said what kind of talk is this. One by one, the whole region. The region closes and says as far as this is concerned, he says, we have nothing to say, you did everything, a great misfortune for the DP, but their choice. Now he says we are leaving because I am going to meet Lulzim Basha. What are you going to meet him for, I say? I will meet him, he said, let's give him one last chance. Ok. He goes and then it came out that we gave him a five-point plan. I am not going to tell you many other details because it will take too long. In conclusion, I say to him back, now what plan? A plan with points without points. What if history starts from the beginning or from the other side. You have done your thing, you have no business at all. American in a word, short talk. We had a meeting in Elbasan with women. Meanwhile, Luli gathered all the parties in the Assembly hall. We left for Elbasan and on the way I picked up Gramoz Ruçi. I told Gramoz, I'm going there to see him. I'm going there to meet him. Now, let me know - he said - what are you going to see him for. I'm going to meet him, I told him, tell me what your concerns are. I left for Elbasan, because you have Taulant alive, because I told him, give me your word that you'll leave. Where are you going? I'm going to see Luli, I told him. Gramoz told me. Do you have any concerns, I told him. What do you think if I manage to bring him down? He said, I'm worried about two things, the date is moving, the prime minister is not moving. Everything else is moving. Ok, I said, we're in agreement. I'm going back and going there. All these people were there. Inside were all these crayfish and their conversations started. I told them, I have nothing to do with you, I came for this. I have nothing to do with you at all, what are you saying to me.
Blendi Fevziu: How did you get it on your own?
Edi Rama: I came for you, I said. He has that style. He looked at the others. At a certain moment I told him, you will get up and come with me. How about talking to me together. Who doesn't know about these others? Fatmir Mediu seems to me, he doesn't move without us, he said. Why did I tell him, what does he have to do with you? Come on, I told him that I'm waiting for you in the other room. Come on, I said, you'd better come to me, than a rocket will come to you, I said. By rocket, I meant the strike that would happen. I spoke about a rocket that I knew, not about rockets that would go to Mali me Gropa. And it came. What did he say? Sit down. We went in, it's a big room where meetings are held. We sat down and talked for a long time. Talk and talk and talk. In the end, we agreed. We had a discussion at the end about who would speak first. You speak, I told him, I don't want to speak at all. "I'm worried that you won't laugh when I speak." No, I don't laugh at all. Don't laugh when I talk, he said, you have this habit of making fun of everything when I talk, this is a serious matter.
Blendi Fevziu: You surrendered the elections at that moment. When the opposition leader tells you not to laugh when I speak.
Edi Rama: Let's not do it like that. It was friendly.
Blendi Fevziu: Was the agreement understandable?
Edi Rama: It was very simple, he got everything he asked for.
Blendi Fevziu: What blessing did you receive then that you told me was done with Berisha's blessing? Were there just the two of you together?
Edi Rama: Yes, just the two of us, but I was informed in the meantime. He informed me that we met again the next day. He was a happy grandfather, he said.
Blendi Fevziu: He took you to the table without talking to anyone?
Edi Rama: Not there. The grace of truth wants him there… I told him, you will ask. Go ahead and ask, I told him that I took Gramoz before. Ask too, if you have anyone to ask. Who should I ask, he said. I told him a wise man, you have your wise man. He disappoints me, he said, where should I ask him. He told me, he will give me the blessing. And he gave me the blessing.