Rama open to Afghan refugees staying in Albania following U.S. policy change
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed no concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to block Afghan refugees from continuing their resettlement process in the United States. In an interview with El Mundo, Rama stated that the remaining Afghan refugees in Albania, who were relocated after the Taliban takeover in 2021, are welcome to stay if they so choose. According to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, only a couple of hundred refugees remain in Albania.
Why is this important: Albania was one of the few countries that welcomed Afghan refugees fleeing Kabul after U.S. forces withdrew in 2021. Refugees were temporarily housed in northern Albanian hotels while awaiting resettlement procedures for entry into the United States. With the new U.S. policy blocking further admissions, Albania now faces the prospect of hosting these refugees for a longer term.
Context: Rama also used the interview to comment on the impact of Trump’s return to power, suggesting that it could serve as a wake-up call for the European Union regarding enlargement and global challenges. He emphasized that Albania’s EU membership prospects improved after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Western Balkans nations.
“Since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, our European friends were forced to wake up to reality. I hope Trump’s return to the White House will be another call for Europe to face its challenges instead of delaying reforms,” Rama remarked.
On Kosovo and Serbia: Rama refrained from expressing any preference regarding the outcome of Kosovo’s upcoming elections, emphasizing that he respects all political players in the region. “Kosovo is a vibrant democracy. I wish them well in their elections, but I have no preferences,” he said.
On the recent protests in Serbia, Rama offered a cautious assessment, noting that the Serbian opposition does not appear to be more progressive or pro-European than the current administration under President Vučić. However, he stressed the importance of peaceful dialogue, stating:
“Taking over a government by force should never happen on European soil.”
TikTok ban: Addressing Albania’s plan to ban TikTok, Rama confirmed that the closure would be implemented within days. However, he left open the possibility of reversing the ban if the platform meets the government’s security and regulatory concerns.
The evolving stance indicates Albania’s focus on balancing national security interests with openness to technological platforms, provided compliance measures are in place.
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