Edi Rama pledges identity correction for Albanians in UK during London visit
During his visit to London as part of the “Proud of Albania” tour, Prime Minister Edi Rama promised to initiate diplomatic negotiations with the British government to allow Albanians who registered with false identities—primarily as Kosovars during the post-Kosovo War period—to correct their official records. The simplified residence procedures available to Kosovars at the time led many Albanians to adopt such identities, and Rama pledged to address this issue through diplomatic channels.
Addressing an audience of around 3,000 Albanians at the Cooper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Rama urged attendees to support the Socialist Party in the May 2025 elections, presenting it as the only political force capable of securing Albania’s EU membership within the decade.
Why is this important: The event was marked by a protest organized by members of the Democratic Party’s London structures, who chanted anti-Rama slogans outside the venue. Some protesters infiltrated the meeting, disrupting proceedings before being removed by security personnel. In response, Rama dismissed the protesters as a “handful of blind individuals driven by blind leaders in Tirana” while expressing hope for eventual reconciliation within the Albanian diaspora.
“Even those who oppose us are part of the larger Albanian family,” Rama said, emphasizing that Albania’s real divide is not between left and right but between those striving for progress and those resisting the future, which he defined as EU membership.
Context: Two years ago, former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman caused an uproar by describing Albanian immigrants as “invaders” and linking them to organized crime. Rama referenced this controversy during his speech, emphasizing the positive contributions of Albanians to Britain’s economy.
“They called us invaders, as if we had come for the Queen’s crown rather than to work with bowed heads and the crown of sweat on our foreheads. The truth is, we are carpenters, drivers, farmers, and dreamers, contributing to Britain’s economy, which is in desperate need of labor,” said Rama.
Rama also invoked Albania’s historical ties with Britain, citing figures like Lord Byron, Edward Lear, and Edith Durham, who were inspired by Albania’s landscapes and culture during their travels.
Looking ahead: Following his visit to London, Rama is scheduled to continue the “Proud of Albania” tour in Germany, where he will meet with the large Albanian community. These meetings aim to rally diaspora support ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections while addressing key issues facing Albanians abroad.
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