American senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin have paid a visit to Albania and Kosovo, as part of their tour of several Western Balkan countries. Both are known as supporters of legislative initiatives related to this region.
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Their agenda in Tirana focused on security, preserving Euro-Atlantic integrity, cooperation with NATO and strengthening the rule of law. During the meetings held in Albania, the senators were accompanied by the United States ambassador, Eric Wendt.
During their stay in the country, Shaheen and Durbin met with President Bajram Begaj, leaders of the new justice institutions and opposition representatives.
On Saturday, they held a meeting at the offices of Albania’s two main investigative structures, SPAK and BKH. Together with Ambassador Wendt, the senators spoke with the head of SPAK, Klodjan Braho, and the director of BKH, Joni Keta.
This was the new American ambassador’s second visit to SPAK within a few days. Immediately after taking office at the head of the American diplomatic mission in Tirana, Wendt had met with the leaders of the Special Prosecution Office, which is seen as another sign of American support for the Special Structure.
At the meeting with the Albanian head of state, Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin were honored for their contribution with the high decoration “Commander of the Supreme Order of the Eagle.” Ambassador Eric Wendt was also present at this meeting.
The American senators and Ambassador Wendt also held talks with representatives of the opposition camp. In this context, they met Democratic Party lawmakers Jorida Tabaku, Oerd Bylykbashi and Ivi Kaso, who reportedly raised concerns about the way the country is being governed.
Meetings were also held with the leader of the “Mundësia” party, Agron Shehaj, as well as with lawmaker Marjana Koçeku, who is independent after leaving the Socialist Party.
Opposition leader Sali Berisha was not included in the American senators’ agenda in Tirana.
After concluding their meetings in Albania, Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin have departed for Kosovo, where they are expected to meet political representatives of the neighboring country.
