The celebration of America’s Independence Day is not like the other occasions this year, but Americans and Albanians are as close and united as ever although they have to stay physically apart because of the pandemic, said US Ambassador to Tirana, Yuri Kim.
In a message on the historical event of the US Ambassador Ms. Kim stressed that the celebration has not been allowed to gather under one roof for celebrating the 244th birthday of the US for the first time. The two countries remain bound by their love and protection of freedom, independence and shared vision for the future, she said.
Further on the Ambassador said that the US and Albania had worked together for more than a century to form a more perfect union between the two nations. 100 years ago, the United States used its power to support an independent Albania and paved the way for the country to join the League of Nations in 1920, she said.
Ms. Kim underlined that to ensure a common defense Albania joined NATO in 2009. Since then, Albania has been a reliable partner for the security of the region. The United States will continue to stand proudly by Albanians’ side as defense relations are expanded and deepened making Albania a stronger and more capable ally, she said.
Kim also touched upon Justice Reform, saying that in 2016, when the Parliament unanimously approved Justice Reform, the country took the first steps towards establishing a new justice system in Albania to eradicate corruption, to prosecute crime and to organize and decisively establish the rule of law. This is a process that takes time and effort to bring results, but as always the United States will continue their support, the Ambassador said.
Ms. Kim stressed that Albania is on the road to another union, the EU, and the necessary reforms for this will bring more justice and prosperity to the Albanian people. Ambassador Kim pledged that the US has been with Albania at the beginning of this process, and it will stay with the country until its goal is achieved. /argumentum.al