FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Prime Minister Edi Rama, while participating in the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, South Korea, declared that Albania during the communist period was the "North Korea of Europe", while today it is following a different path, oriented towards the European Union.
In his speech, Rama recalled his first visit to Seoul, years ago, when he was mayor of Tirana, describing the transformation of South Korea as an important example of development and changing the destinies of nations.
He focused on the contrast between the two Koreas, describing South Korea as a symbol of development and modernization, while North Korea as an example of isolation and rule through fear.
Rama also linked this comparison to Albania's history during the communist regime, emphasizing that the country is today moving towards building democratic institutions and European integration.
"I first came to Seoul several decades ago as mayor of Tirana. I myself came from a city that had lost itself and was searching for itself. What I saw at that time was extraordinary, but when I look back on these years, it is something deeply moving. Korea is proof that history matters but alone cannot decide fate.
Perhaps there is no other place where this truth is illustrated in such a stunning way as in this peninsula, the same people and culture, history but divided by completely different systems. They are the clearest evidence on earth that the destinies of nations are shaped by the choices we make along the way. One Korea was transformed into a symbol of renewal, the other into an emblem of darkness through isolation, the rule of force and fear. This has not been an abstract lesson for me that during a painful chapter Albania was the North Korea of Europe, but today it is walking on another path, not an easy one but fundamentally different.
A path of institution building, towards the EU, democratic modernization, we are showing that democratic institutions can be built even when history says it is impossible, and that a country once limited by isolation can be defined by aspirations. This is one of the reasons why it is meaningful for me to be here. Although geographically distant, countries like mine feel so close to North Korea through the memory that greatness is not reserved for those who are born lucky, it can also belong to those who dare to rebuild, and who bring openness instead of fear. While we were closing ourselves behind our walls, waging imaginary war against the Americans and the Soviets, on this continent, something else was unfolding that we were not even allowed to know about,” said the Prime Minister.
Vertet nuk jemi Koreja e Veriut ne Europe, por kemi ende Kim Jong Un shqiptar, mega hajdut, megagenjeshtar dhe me i pashpirti per popullun e vet.