Edi Rama criticizes Europe’s focus on armament, calls for a vision of peace at Riyadh Forum
During the 9th Future Investment Initiative Forum in Riyadh, Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced concern that European leaders are increasingly focused on rearmament rather than peace, warning that the continent has “lost its imagination” and become trapped in inertia.
Why is this important: Rama’s remarks reflect growing unease among some European leaders about the militarization of EU policy in response to global tensions. Speaking on a panel titled “Is Humanity Going in the Right Direction?”, he criticized what he called a “deeply wrong approach” by the European Union.
“It’s profoundly wrong that Europe rushes every day to rearm, to think, talk, and work for more weapons while having no peace plan,” Rama said. “Europe, which for years functioned on America’s autopilot, has rediscovered the word ceasefire only recently. It’s worrying that the word nuclear has become normal in public discourse — this madness must stop.”
Context: Rama said Europe’s obsession with defense spending reveals a lack of strategic imagination. He contrasted this with what he described as the “vision and creativity” driving change in the Gulf region, praising Saudi Arabia’s transformation as an example of bold modernization.
“In our part of the world — the West — inertia has replaced imagination,” he said. “We’ve consumed everything we inherited from those who once thought about beauty. Now we’re left with dull complacency.”
Rama recalled how, as Tirana’s mayor, he was criticized for painting city buildings — an initiative he said symbolized the power of imagination over stagnation.
What else: The Albanian prime minister also exchanged lighthearted remarks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, calling him a friend and admiring his global perspective. “It’s time for us Europeans to be humble and learn from Gianni,” Rama said, noting that “what happens in Europe can also happen in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, or even in the United States — a country once ignorant of football.”
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