The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, held a meeting in the United States of America with Republican Congressman Pete Sessions, where the focus was on political developments in Albania, drug trafficking, corruption and electoral processes.

Berisha, accompanied by Republican Party leader Fatmir Mediu, said that during the meeting, the impact of organized crime and drug money on politics and elections was discussed. According to him, these phenomena are undermining democracy and independent institutions in Albania.

At the meeting, Berisha also raised concerns about the government’s control over justice institutions, accusing Prime Minister Rama of using justice as a “political weapon” against the opposition. He also mentioned the case of Belinda Balluku, claiming that Rama has blocked the investigation against her through her political protection.

According to Berisha, the need for a technical government in Albania was also discussed, as a step towards guaranteeing free elections and restoring trust in institutions.

The meeting also addressed the fight against drug cartels and the US-Albania strategic partnership. Berisha thanked Congressman Sessions for his interest in developments in Albania and the region.

The meeting was also attended by Bert Misuzawa, Republican candidate for Senate in the state of Virginia, as well as General Zapanta.

Full reaction:

Meeting with Congressman Pete Sessions: We discussed the consequences of the narco-state and the electoral farce, the need for a technical government in Albania

During my visit to the United States of America, accompanied by the Chairman of the Republican Party of Albania, Fatmir Mediu, I had the pleasure of holding an important meeting with the member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, Congressman Pete Sessions. Our discussion focused on the major problems facing Albania, mainly drug trafficking and the narco-state, rampant corruption and their direct impact on the manipulation of electoral processes.

The fight against drug cartels and their influence on elections were discussed extensively at this meeting.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the positions expressed by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to whom the strategic partnership with Albania aims primarily at the uncompromising fight against drug trafficking and cartels. The fact that organized crime and drug money, linked to the highest levels of government, are being used by the current administration and government of Edi Rama to manipulate elections, control power and launder drug money, was denounced.

We informed the American congressman about the extremely difficult situation the country is in. Prime Minister Rama has destroyed the Constitution and all independent institutions, concentrating in his hands an absolute power that produces absolute corruption. We also raised the concern that the government completely controls the judiciary and is using it as a political weapon against the opposition, in order to maintain power. He refused to lift Balluk's immunity, thus openly blocking justice and the fight against corruption.

At this meeting, we thanked Congressman Sessions for his interest in developments in Albania and the region, the fight against drug cartels and the politicization of justice. The meeting was open. The meeting was attended by Mr. Bert Misuzawa, Republican candidate for Senate in the State of Virginia, and General Zapanta.