TIRANA – Albania has requested China’s aid in the circumstances of the ongoing spread of the coronavirus pandemic which has claimed the lives of 5 people while a total number of 146 persons have been confirmed infected.
The deputy health minister, Mira Rakacolli unveiled on Wednesday that the Albanian government had requested from China an aid of medical specialists.
“The Health Ministry has sent a formal request to the Chinese Embassy in Tirana for bringing to Albania experienced doctors,” said Ms. Rakacolli, who considered China as a country which can help Albania with its experience in this difficult period.
At the outset of the pandemic Albania’s PM Edi Rama lamented distressfully that his country and people had been left alone in face of the storming Covid virus. “Make up your mind as we are alone in this war for existence.” This has been the most pessimistic and straightforward confession made by Mr. Rama since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic. “We have no one to extend our hand to,” he said in an interview on a local TV last week.
The Chinese Ambassador to Tirana, Zhou Ding in two public interviews on local TVs in a short span of time over the last days expressed the readiness of his country to help Albania. “Albania has proved its friendship for China in hard times and this friendship will be returned,” Ambassador Zhou said in an interview on a local TV last Thursday. “I have always held close communication with the Albanian government, particularly with the Prime Minister and the Health Minister. During the difficult days of the epidemics in China, President Meta, PM Rama, Speaker Ruci sent solidarity letters to the Chinese leaders. Moreover the Mayor, Veliaj organized a solidarity activity in one of the Chinese restaurants in Tirana in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy for the fight against the pandemic,” said the Ambassador.
“Now that Albania is threatened by the pandemic we will stand by the Albanian people,” Beijing’s top envoy to Tirana said recalling the old saying: “Good friend is known in difficult time!”
Mr. Zhou revealed that they had received a request for help by the Albanian government and he confirmed that the Chinese side is studying it. “There will be a positive response,” he pledged.
In the meantime it is reported that the European Union has pledged an aid of 50 million euro to Albania for the coronavirus emergency situation and to support the economy. The news was made public by the Head of the EU Delegation to Tirana, Luigi Soreca, who said the Union is always close to Albania.
“The European Union has allocated 50 million euro to Albania in the fight against coronavirus. Of these, 4 million will go to medical equipment and health support, 11 million to social protection and 35 million euro to support the economy following the negative impact of the Covid-19s,” he said.
Earlier US Ambassador to Tirana Yuri Kim announced that her country will offer up to 100 million dollars to help friends like Albania and others to fight novel coronavirus. “US has pledged up to USD 100 million to help friends like Albania and others combat COVID-10.This builds on broader assistance that has helped build capacity and strengthen infrastructure. We will get through this together- as always,” said the US Ambassador.
The latest news on the aid aspect is reported on Wednesday according to which a cargo plane landed at Albania’s Rinas airport with protective equipment for the medical staff and other medical supplies.
PM Rama had announced earlier that he had contacted Turkish President Erdogan with the latter promising aid.
“Airplane ‘Lasgush’ is being loaded in Istanbul at this moment with equipment for the protection of the life of our patients and medical staff,” Rama said in a post on his FB account last Tuesday evening. /argumentum.al
