Original article (in Albanian) was published on 10/07/2023
During his visit to Pristina on July 6th, Prime Minister Edi Rama received a welcome at the airport from four representatives of the Kosovar side, in contrast to certain claims made in online media articles. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Diaspora in Kosovo officially confirmed this to Faktoje.
On July 6th and 7th, Prime Minister Edi Rama conducted a Balkan tour as part of the “Berlin Process.” He travelled to Belgrade, Sarajevo, Pristina, and Skopje, engaging in meetings with the respective state leaders.
However, media attention was drawn to Rama’s visit to Pristina, following Prime Minister Albin Kurti of Kosovo’s refusal to meet with his Albanian counterpart. Several articles published in Albanian media outlets alleged that Rama was only welcomed at the airport by the Albanian ambassador to Kosovo, Qemal Minxhozi.
“Rama in Pristina, welcomed at the airport only by the Albanian ambassador”, writes the portal “Bold News”.
Source: Screenshot, article published by portals
Further elaborating on this claim, the text states: “Rama arrived in Pristina at 16:20, and at ‘Adem Jashari’ airport, the Albanian delegation was welcomed only by the Albanian ambassador to Kosovo, Qemal Minxhozi.”
Regarding this matter, we sought information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Diaspora in Kosovo. Officially, the MPJD clarifies that despite the allusions in the media, there were four representatives from Kosovo who welcomed the Prime Minister of Albania at Pristina airport.
“This is to inform you that the following officials were present to welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama, at Pristina airport: Blerim Vela, Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Kosovo; Vehbi Miftari, Advisor to the President; Skender Durmishi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Albania, and Orhan Hajrizi, Head of the Ceremonial Division,” MPJD states.
Response from MPJD to Faktoje
These officials of the Republic of Kosovo were certainly joined, according to state protocol, by the Albanian ambassador in Pristina, Mr. Qemal Minxhozi.
Notably, the official response indicates that there were no representatives from the executive of Kosovo at the airport, which confirms to some extent the reserved nature of the reception at the airport.
During the visit to Pristina, Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and the Speaker of the Parliament, Glauk Konjufca.
