Albanian PM to Travel to Greece after Formal Visit to Turkey

Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias will on Friday hold a private meeting with Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama in Athens, diplomatic sources said as quoted by ekathimerini on Thursday.
Later in the day, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will have a dinner for his Albanian counterpart that will also be attended by the foreign minister.
Rama is currently in Ankara, escorted by a delegation of government officials. The Albanian government has not issued a formal statement on Rama’s visit to the Turkish capital, although it reportedly followed an invitation by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has close ties with Ankara, but expects a “European passport” from Athens. Edi Rama is playing a “double game” coming to Athens on Friday,” said daily Protothema, which underlined the importance of Athens for Albania’s European Integration.
“Rama has every reason to play the “European card” – that is why, after all, he extended the agreement with Nikos Dendias for maritime areas. But now Athens is worried about Ankara’s pressure on Mr. Rama to cancel it. Albanian President Ilir Meta has accused Rama of concessions to Greece and secret diplomacy. In the light of these facts, the presence of the Prime Minister of Albania in Athens receives special interest,” said Greek media on Thursday. /argumentum.al