Of all the people of Albania i send my best wishes and enduring friendship of the United States as we celebrate 100 year anniversary of our country’s establishing diplomatic relations. When the united states defended albania’s independence after world war one it launched a lasting friendship between our people a shared love of liberty and of the values of democracy that was
never broken even when the people of albania endured decades of dictatorship. Today Albania and the United States are allies in NATO and partners working together to defend freedom and democracy in Europe and around the world including through our work of the UN Security Council. Albania has also made critical contributions to supporting humanitarian and security needs of the Ukrainian people as they defend their country against russia’s brutal war. And I want to thank the people of Albania for your hospitality and hosting thousands of afghans over the past year and we look to the future the united states going to continue to stand with
albania as you carry forward the work to fortify democratic institutions fight corruption strengthen the rule of law and complete your journey to join the European Union. May our two nations continue to build all that we have accomplished together and deliver a brighter more hopeful future for our children.