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In a move that has sparked outrage! Mayor Eric Adams recently hosted a secret reception at Gracie Mansion, welcoming government leaders from Albania and members of New York City's Albanian community. The reception, which was not listed on the mayor's public agenda, appears to highlight Adams' growing rapport with the Balkan nation as his term as mayor draws to a close.
Gothamist reports that the event was requested by Adams and confirmed by City Hall after an investigation.
Among the guests at the meeting were Albania’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Megi Fino, and the country’s ambassador to the US, Ervin Bushati. The reception underscored Adams’ increasingly close ties with Albania, a connection that has been reinforced by his trip to the country following the suspension of his re-election campaign.
According to the City Hall announcement, the reception was organized by the Council on Albanian-American Relations, with the aim of fostering engagement between the U.S. and Albania. Interestingly, while Adams usually delivers speeches at cultural events, his speech at the reception was not made public as no transcript was released.
The private event comes on the heels of Adams' four-day visit to Albania, his first trip abroad since withdrawing from the mayoral race. His official engagements were said to have focused on exploring tourism and business opportunities.
According to the NY Daily News, the trip was funded by the Albanian government, covering accommodation and ground transportation. Mayor Adams seems to have found a deep connection to the country, shared in part by his son, Jordan Coleman, who participated in a singing competition in Albania in 2022.
Regarding his future prospects, Mayor Adams has hinted that he may work with foreign governments, stating on Election Day that "countries are calling me and asking me to come and do what I did in New York City."
Meanwhile, Adams' connection to Albania has also been celebrated through several cultural events, including Albania's inaugural parade earlier this year and flag-raising. The reception at Gracie Mansion was reportedly attended by about 100 people, including Deputy Mayor Tiffany Raspberry. It's worth noting that the Trump administration has yet to confirm a U.S. ambassador to Albania amid these developments.
Marko Kepi, an Albanian-American who ran for state and local office, shared photos from the event on Instagram and told Gothamist that the reception is an annual event that coincides with Albania's Independence Day on November 28. Furthermore, Adams has previously expressed personal enthusiasm for Albania during a reception in June, saying, "I can't wait to go to Albania and enjoy the beautiful rivers, seas, and mountains and everything you have to offer."
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