Albanian PM Makes Case for Migrants at Downing Street, Calls Braverman Comments 'Disgraceful'

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama made the case for Albanian immigrants’ positive contribution to the UK economy when he visited Downing Street on Thursday, March 23, and met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“Just as all Britons are not James Bond or Mr Bean, not all Albanians are some characters out of Taken,” Rama said.

“Dua Lipa is not just simply a British singer but is an Albanian emigrant, as many have come to construct, to nurse, to cook, and to sing for you,” he continued. “We want to make sure that this community feels not only safe, but honored here.”

Rama had earlier criticized Home Secretary Suella Braverman for what he said was the “disgraceful…singling out of our community”. Credit: Edi Rama via Storyful

Video transcript

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RISHI SUNAK: Well, Prime Minister Rama Edi, great pleasure to welcome you to the UK and Downing Street today. UK and Albania obviously already had a strong partnership. But I'm looking forward to deepening that relationship with you today. And then last year, we signed a communique to tackle illegal migration. And I'm very pleased with the progress we're making on that. I know we'll be discussing that later, and not least, how we can do more on prisoner returns.

But also, there's more that in our relationship that we need to talk about, strengthening our economic cooperation, trade, and security, in particular, countering the hostile cyber attacks that our countries face. So with all that and more, lots for us to get on and talk about. But delighted to welcome you here.

EDI RAMA: Thank you, Prime Minister. I'm very honored. As you know, this is the first official visit of an Albanian Prime Minister in this historic and marble building. And I'm thankful for that. It's a particular moment in our cooperation. As you said, we are joining forces with the full conviction that we have to make the outmost to crack down on the criminal networks, and also, to avoid for innocent people to get into the hook of these networks.

At the same time, I thank you because it's an opportunity to underline that. As just as and Britons are not James Bond or Mr Bean, not all Albanians are some characters out of "Taken." And as the boy coming with a boat is not simply just an Albanian but is part of a broader picture, Dua Lipa is not just simply a British singer but is an Albanian immigrant that has come here, as many have come to construct, to nurse, to cook, and to sing for you.

And we want to make sure that this community feels not only safe but feels honored here And the rotten apples are our common objective to be going after and to win this battle. And as you said, in terms of security, we have all our interests to strengthen our cooperation.

And I have to say that it's after a long time that I'm feeling really a very, very serious commitment not just in words but also in deeds on your side. And I look forward to do the best together with you. And thank you again. And we invite you back in Tirana in Albania because no British Prime Minister has visited Albania since Winston Churchill.

RISHI SUNAK: Well, delighted to have you here, Edi. I look forward to our conversation.

EDI RAMA: Thank you.

RISHI SUNAK: Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

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- Thank you.