Two US senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, supporters of legislative initiatives for the Western Balkans, are conducting a tour of several countries in the region, including Albania and Kosovo.
In our country, senators met with President Bajram Begaj, the leaders of the new justice institutions, as well as representatives of the opposition.
They were accompanied by the United States Ambassador, Eric Wendt, at the meetings in Tirana. The focus of the two American senators’ Balkan tour is security, Euro-Atlantic integrity, cooperation with NATO, and the rule of law.
Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, along with Ambassador Eric Wendt, met in their offices with the head of SPAK, Klodjan Braho, and that of BKH, Joni Keta.
For the new American ambassador, Wendt, this was the second stop at SPAK within a few days, as he held meetings with the leaders of the Special Prosecution Office immediately after taking office as head of the American diplomatic mission in Tirana.
During the meeting with the Albanian Head of State, accompanied by Ambassador Wendt, the two American senators were awarded the high decoration “Commander of the Supreme Order of the Eagle” for their contribution.
During their stay in Albania, the US senators and Ambassador Eric Wendt also met with representatives of the opposition camp, including Democratic Party MPs Jorida Tabaku, Oerd Bylykbashi and Ivi Kason, where it is learned that the opposition raised their concerns about the country’s governance.
American diplomats also met with the leader of the “Mundësia” party, Agron Shehaj, as well as MP Marjana Koçeku, who is independent after leaving the Socialist Party.
US senators and Ambassador Eric Wendt have avoided opposition leader Sali Berisha in their meetings in Tirana.
It is learned that after the meetings in Albania, the two American senators traveled to Kosovo to meet with the politics of the neighboring country.