Edi Rama (2016)

Erionveliaj@gmail.com - the mayor of Tirana.

Yes, we've started some initiatives. For example, the Ministry of Economy, Enterprise, and Tourism supports projects of individuals and groups in this field. There is still a lot to be done.

1. Because they know that a major work in progress is happening - this is through major reforms to modernize the country and real achievements that brought us to the new station of starting the accession talks in the EU.

2. The Albanian public administration works in a very well-regulated framework. There is something we all call "rule of law" that defines the obligations and the rights of the people of the civil servants.

3. It's a matter of point-of-view. I respect yours, but I don't share it. As for education, things are becoming much better, but of course, not good enough. We have embarked on a major reform which has been praised by the EU and is introducing Albanian education to a new era. Of course, there is still a lot to be achieved. That's why we need more work, more time, and more patience.

I'm a believer of the idea that Albanians and Serbians can do for the Balkans what France and Germany did for Europe after the second world war.

1. Starting the painful energy reform.

2. It's a good idea to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, but I am convinced that the time for Albania to do so is still far away.

3. It's a standard procedure that we had to apply to Albania to fight informality which was also fueled by internet shopping.

Hello Tedi, I'm glad to hear you are visiting the Marian Goodman gallery to see my exhibit. I hope you enjoy it.

Yes, we are developing programs to support the creative youth. Our last show in Marseilles was very successful with many young Albanian contemporary artists. Additionally, we had a very pleasant opening ceremony at the completely renovated Art High School of Tirana. We also working on the renovation of the Ballet School of Tirana.

For your first question, I answered here https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/5db7t0/i_am_edi_rama_prime_minister_of_albania_ask_me/da35x83/

I unfortunately don't have much free time. Being with my son when he's still awake when I go home is the highlight of my day. When I can find a free Sunday, I enjoy sculpting.

As you probably know, the Albanian emigrants have been unable to vote in the last 25 years, unless they returned home in the Election Day. For the first time, our government has made substantial steps to address this injustice. We have worked hard and in 2016, in February, the Albanian Parliament approved the law “for the identification and registration of the Albanians living abroad the territory of the Republic of Albania”. According to this law, all the emigrants will have the opportunity to register themselves, by submitting a legal address of residence. This law cleared the most major obstacle obstructing the right of emigrants to vote. The Government is dedicated to follow soon the remaining obstacles and to create a transparent mechanism, enabling the emigrants to vote regardless of their location.

I was inspired by the Third Way and the outstanding reform in left politics that Tony Blair and the Labor Party introduced to the world.

I don't think that talents that are blossoming in the US, Germany, and elsewhere are losses for Albania. Fortunately, we live in a free world where Albanians and all other Europeans are free to move and free to choose.

On the other hand, they remain Albanians wherever they go. They help Albania wherever they are and they add value to the country when they come back.

As for the "incredibly-corrupt Albania", I suggest you read the very last report from Transparency International. You may be positively surprised to read about the steady progress Albania has made in fighting corruption. Of course, there is still a lot to be done.

Hello Ema, Albania has long been dedicated to forge an ever-closer cooperation and friendlier relations with Greece. We consider our southern neighbor a strategic partner and we believe a better understanding of each other will contribute to a greater stability in the whole region. The relations with Greece continue to be friendly, but we believe that a more direct approach and a more frequent discussion regarding our remaining issues will serve to build a better future for the next Albanian and Greek generations. In this perspective, the large Albanian Community in Greece, which admirably has conducted a number of great achievements, has contributed and will continue to contribute more than any possible policy to the strengthening of the friendship between the Albanian and the Greeks

Yes, the art on my desk accompanies me everyday during my meetings, my phone calls, and my moments of pause and reflection.

It's an interesting time of change in a direction that is yet to be seen.

Neapolitan tends to be my first option.

Two single espressos.

It's beautiful, hospitable, and never boring.

For a long time, the Albania-Kosovo relations have been characterized by the unconditional diplomatic support of Albania for the Kosovo statehood and friendly exchanges in case of celebrations. Our government has changed this approach, by seeking a much deeper relation. Since three years, both governments are meeting periodically, to erase any border and boundaries between us, to agree on how to establish a common single market, how to unify our education system, how to connect our energy systems, etc. Just recently, we finished the high voltage line connecting both countries, establishing for the first time a common energy market. Another example, since two years, our children’s study with the same textbooks in both educational systems. We remain dedicated to continue to deepen in the future our relation, in order to fulfill the dream of an Albanian common Space, inside the European Union.

This Summit is a non-political event, based on the inclusiveness, with the purpose of creating a bridge between Albanians whenever they live. The main purpose of this meeting is to create a communication mechanism, in order to promote a closer cooperation between the Albanian State and the fellow citizens living abroad.

The diaspora is an intrinsic part of our live and our hearts. After 25 years of a big wave of Albanian emigration while being liberated from half a century of communist rule, it's time to meet, exchange ideas, and try to organize ourselves better. The summit is the first step to walk together towards the next-generation Albania.

1. I think that the current situation is a makeup call for more Europe rather than less.

2. There are too many to count, but I suggest going through the pages of the last progress report from the European Commission.