Prime Minister Rama heads to Washington for NATO Summit
\Prime Minister Edi Rama departed this morning for Washington, where he will participate in the NATO summit scheduled from July 9 to July 11 in the U.S. capital. The summit will gather 32 leaders of NATO member countries and several other invited leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss various topics, notably Ukraine’s prospects for NATO membership.
Context
Albania is among the countries more supportive of Ukraine, especially in the realm of diplomacy. Earlier in the year it organized in Tirana the Ukraine – Southeast Europe Summit that aimed to unify the support of the Western Balkans for Ukraine. During its 2-year mandate in the United Nations Security Council Albania served as co-penholder on the Ukraine file with the United States of America and was particularly vocal and active in supporting Ukraine and attempting to isolate Russia. However, Prime Minister Rama has not articulated a clear position regarding Kiev’s request to join NATO.
The position of NATO member states on the issue thus far has been divided but most important members, including the US have refused to support Ukraine’s membership in NATO while the war continues, as member countries are reluctant to engage in direct confrontation with Russia. The summit is expected to conclude with a final statement of support for Ukraine, but it appears certain that Ukraine will not be invited to join NATO.
During the summit, concerns about China’s influence in the Pacific will be addressed. Within this framework, agreements are expected to be signed and cooperation discussed in areas such as cyber defense and maritime security.
The Alliance has already chosen the successor to Stoltenberg. NATO’s Secretary-General from October will be former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
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