The head of government, Edi Rama, held a meeting with residents in Gjirokastra today.
The Prime Minister focused on the economic and tourist developments of the area, emphasizing the significant increase in the number of tourists and improvements in infrastructure.
During his speech, Rama criticized skeptics, emphasizing that the changes are visible to the residents of the area.
Rama: I believe that people vote in the majority, because when we say things that others laugh at, even though many of the things that are done do not come out through these mirrors of the swamps, they reach the people directly. When we say that Gjirokastra, when we took office, had 6 thousand tourists a year, while last year it had 600 thousand, the barbershops laugh at this, while the people of Gjirokastra know it, they see it every day. This city had a kick in the throat and it seemed like it was giving up its soul, today it grows and shines step by step. They say “there is no water, no electricity, no bread”. “There are no roads in the villages”, “there is no drinking water”. People who live in the villages know that the road has improved. When we come to the economy… the economy is not something that you can cover with propaganda flowers. If people do not feel in their homes that the economy is starting to bear fruit, they do not say “the country is going in the right direction”.
The head of government said that the country has undergone a profound transformation in the last decade. If 10 years ago Albania was seen as a "ridiculous" country by the international community, today it enjoys respect and a dignified role in the international arena.
Rama: Until 10 years ago we were a country…believe me, it was very difficult for me when I met the leaders of Europe, because I felt that there was a feeling inside them…at best it was pity, at worst contempt. We were a ridiculous country, without any kind of position, not enjoying any kind of respect. It was exactly like meeting someone who you look at and think is listening to you, but they look at you in a way that says “finish now or I’m leaving”. Albania has never in its history been in the position it is in internationally today. This happened because the state-building process is moving towards its conclusion. The moment the EU lets you in, you have become a state.