Remarks by Deputy Assistant Secretary Philip Reeker During Visit to Delta Force Compound, Vlora (September 7, 2012)

Deputy Assistant Secretary Philip Reeker During Visit to Delta Force Compound

Faleminderit shumë. Mirëdita. Honorable Minister Noka, guests, it is truly an honor for Henry Jardine, the Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy Tirana, and myself, to be here today.  On behalf of Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Ambassador Arvizu, I want to congratulate you on all on what you have accomplished, particularly, in this centennial year of Albania's independence, here in this historic Vlora area, so important to that independence. 

We can look back and see, particularly, what you have accomplished in just the last two decades.   And the United States is very pleased to be a partner with Albania in these efforts.  We are extremely proud to call you an ally, and of course a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.  You have indeed made great contributions to our common efforts to ISAF in Afghanistan, you have undertaken great reforms in the area of policing, and taken great efforts to combat trafficking in persons.  All of this reminds us that Albania is very capable of making the reforms and changes necessary to meet the European Union's requirements. 

And as you continue on this path, the United States will be with you through ICITAP and our other assistance programs.  It will take work, a political consensus and effort to move forward, and we are confident Albania is capable of this.  So I thank you again for your welcome today, for arranging this beautiful weather, and I wish you all the best.  Thank you.

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