Trump envoy's visit to Tirana fuels even more speculation

2026-09-07 15:45:44Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Trump envoy's visit to Tirana fuels even more speculation

President Trump's Special Envoy to the Balkans for Global Partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, has paid a visit to Tirana.

Interestingly, he started his visit from the Bektashi monastery, where he met with Baba Mondi.

The focus of his speech was the construction of an advanced health center and the issue of the Bektashi state, a project previously presented by Prime Minister Edi Rama, which envisages the creation of a sovereign entity in Tirana.

Asked directly about the creation of the Bektashi state, he said that he has heard the proposal from both Prime Minister Rama and the world patriarch of the Bektashis, Baba Mondi.

He stressed that the decision belongs to the Albanian people and that the international community must respect it.

"I have heard the Prime Minister speak, I have heard His Holiness speak. Ultimately, the people decide or will decide," Zampolli declared, adding that if the Albanian people want such a development, then according to him "this is a good thing."

"Both President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and myself, we all believe in interfaith coexistence and in all places of worship.

Personally, I feel blessed. My mother was a cousin of Pope Montini, Paul VI. There was also a saint in my family. And what a beautiful day to be here, with His Bektashi Holiness, on Mother Teresa's Day.

This is very touching to me. I had heard about what you have here and it is truly extraordinary. I wanted to see it with my own eyes and I am very impressed. I want to congratulate my brother on what you are doing.

I was born in Italy, but I am proud to serve the country and the President of the United States. Of course, we also have a business relationship, but the President also understands the future and has many programs, related to medicine, such as the “Right to Try” program.

From what I briefly understood, what you are doing here with the American partners is something excellent. And obviously, this can be a very good base, because we need hospitals.

"I've been dealing with cancer for four years, so I understand how difficult it is to have cancer. We need to heal our people, and, obviously, what could be better than having a partnership with the Americans," he said.

Regarding the Bektashi state that is expected to be created here in Albania, what is your position?

"I heard it. I heard the Prime Minister speak, I heard His Holiness speak. Ultimately, the people decide or will decide. And I think the international community will respect the decision of the people of Albania.

"Well, I'm learning from you and I think the people of Albania want this. So if your people want it, I think that's a good thing. Well, I've heard some people talking, but maybe not the people. So the people should talk," he said.

In the media, it has often been alluded to that the US and Israel are behind Rama's idea of ​​creating a Bektashi state, to mitigate Turkey's influence.

The visit of Trump's friend, who started precisely at the Bektashi patriarchate, adds to the allusions. 


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