Thank you very much for coming here, and thank you for the very nice words I found.
Most of them not always the most pleasant.
And I'm very pleased to be here in this great city of learning where so many of.
This country's finest sons and daughters have been educated from where some of the greatest writing community is in the regions we once were.
Also,
many successful Albanians who studied and are studying contributed then in our country or in all the fields and places they think they can add value.
Anyone with the knowledge, an admirer of Britain and the beginnings of friendship for each time I come to them,
which is quite often I meet members of the Albanian communities who are also to hear
their stories of the great opportunities and the welcome that was given to them.
Many having arrived also includes persecution, and so we do not forget the supports Britain has provided to our region.
Then at many other times, you know, us being out is changing.
Just as the Balkans are changing in this year, years from the First World War, there will be many reminders or hopefully this epic story,
a war that started in our region and spread to TV screens and the slaughter of millions.
War and love stories are the themes of so much of our history.
Britain, Europe's fight to keep the Nazis moving.
Albania playing its part to not least in protecting the Jewish people in our midst, particularly to.
So now today 2014 rather than 1914.
For all of the changes challenges we face, the world is in so many ways better,
safer for most, more prosperous, with greater opportunities for all of us.
And believe that much of the credit for that must go to institutions which have been built on the backs of the millions killed in those awful wars.
The UN, which I was proud to Israel's Prime Minister 14 weeks ago,
say the European Union has turned its attention towards our region, particularly during past conflicts.
We all together vagrants, Serbians, migrants,
stones and all other people of the region should turn our eyes on the EU for projects related to our development for a better and prosperous future,
which holds that the war in Kosovo has won the battle to keep Europe free and peaceful for much of its existence.
And the European Union, of course, which whatever annoyances may cause national space at the current time,
has been a force for peace, also a force for prosperity, a force for good.
It is to sing the praises of the EU. If I speak to you today, it is also emphasised the need for the EU to have a strong UK at its heart.
And it is to restate that one of my growth road conditions will be in the Balkans
that we to become is the resources become part of this great force for good.
I know that you will be good for the Balkans.
They believe the Balkans can be good for the EU.
I know the EU will be good for Albania, I believe will be good for you.
I know Britain has been good for you and I hope Britain continues to do so.
It is interesting for me as the Prime Minister from above, where the desire to join the EU is so strong and to come to one of Europe's major powers.
The debate is about leaving and I think if you go to these first side contradictory aspirations between aspiring Balkans and the reluctant,
reluctant European major borrower, it is important to explain why we need a strong EU and why I believe we need to be partners.
The first important blow against constitutional being fought in the early nineties, one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Student activism and mass movements pushed the single party's leadership to legalise our political parties.
It was the end of dictatorship. Back then, in the early nineties.
One of the main slogans with protesters, a majority of whom had.
Never travelled to Europe or anywhere outside the country was.
We want to be here to be like Europe. But the lack of political stability, the experience of the political class and most importantly,
I think it was only the crisis that hit the country, made the gap between living in Europe wider and widening.
The widening of the gap to bigger was the political rhetoric around Europe as a dream, Europe as a destination.
The true reason why it is it was growing, I believe,
was the fact that we were rowing desperately towards Europe without realising that we first needed to build Europe as home.
Seems to me as an Albanian, as a citizen, as an artist, as well as prime minister.
Europe is not a destination external across Europe should be, and Europe is a destination within us.
The first and most important reason why the Balkans needs a strong view and needs to
be part of this are the founding values of the EU and what they represent today.
I love to read supporting political news.
I follow a lot of politics here in Britain and what they realise is how little politicians here use the word democracy, meaning we use it a lot.
They think we are also other EU member countries that use the bloc as well.
But I guess here in Britain one can feel that democracy a lot more than it will be.
So going back to the values, democracy, for instance, is something that we need to feel and not just a whisper.
Functioning state institutions would ensure liberties, equal opportunities, a strong civil society,
an independent and fair justice system, probably administration immune from corruption.
These are all European values we first need to build at home.
This is why for Albania and I also think for other Balkan countries.
The EU is a crucial political objective is also exactly the reason why,
when in opposition we put EU integration at the heart of our Renaissance programme while the government is our number one priority.
I know from my own position in my own country that sometimes it is possible to get so close the to the frustration of political life as human beings,
the EU, the irritants that you lose sight of an important bigger picture.
These are very frustrations and period patience in any large bureaucracy, and Europe's bureaucracy is larger than most.
Moreover, we are aware there is a long way to go before the European Union displays its unity in many crucial aspects.
While member countries have to face challenging challenges related to the varying quality of democracy,
the nature and meaning of citizenship and national rules in the face of wide scale migration and the viability of a European single currency.
But let us never forget that these are the basic points I tried to make earlier.
For a continent so largely shaped by war, Western European nations, the post-war European settlement which led to the EU and has seen it grow,
is partly responsible for the relative peace and prosperity that Europe continues to enjoy and look the history of old blood Europe.
And you can look back as far as to the pre Westphalia peace in 1648 and then go through the possibility of conflicts in the Balkans.
Peace and prosperity are achievements beyond borders.
Thus, my country's determination to join the EU is related to our will to contribute to the success of a brilliant international project.
The European Union that already contributes to the prosperity of millions creates a more open societies,
and pulling us to a more equal world was never considered getting involved in politics.
I would so to state especially one as independent and rich in history and political culture in yours.
I'm sure that I know the law and hoping that if ever there is a referendum to decide whether the UK stays in the EU of British people decide to stay.
It is for you to decide if Britain is stronger inside or outside the EU.
But I am in no doubt that the EU is stronger with Britain inside.
I hope that as well, being able to use this inner journey of progress and change in order to achieve EU integration in Britain will be always with us,
as it has always been pushing us to the right direction,
recognising all our positive efforts, such as our determined fight against organised crime and endemic corruption,
our efforts to improve security, to innovate and progress, but also warning where we need to go further and faster.
The same spirit encouraging you to share your views on us.
I hope you do not mind if we share our views on you.
Britain is a major power. The power and can be used for the good of all.
We have much to learn from this power while we are taking all the required steps to be considered for membership.
Steps that we take with great awareness that our day to day actions, particularly as decision makers,
affect the life and opportunities of people today, as well as the generations of tomorrow, the next generations of Europe.
We have undoubtedly made considerable progress and despite these few strong ones, we reject them and the of being born into poverty.
We continue to work hard for this despite the supports and guidance of the EU and our other partners,
particularly United States as well as many other developed countries organisations.
Albania has been slow in achieving sustainable democratic transformations in recent years, something we are determined to improve on.
We are committed to make all the required steps in order to obtain the country's status.
We are always keeping in mind that EU integration is not just a destination, it is a set of values and standards.
We need to first build at home and the head of a very new governments,
not only in terms of having been recently elected to power to governmental entities,
a new one also in relation from a very young age for our ministers.
We also have the highest number of women ministers in Cabinet who have been ever heard.
Perhaps most of our ministers have studied abroad.
A few of them here in Britain.
They came back to Albania with fresh ideas, new perspectives and lots of courage to deliver change and bring renaissance to our country.
That being said, I'm fully aware that we cannot keep along this journey with regional cooperation is a key factor in
integration process and to ensure successful integration and contribute to a future for the EU.
We are committed to work as hard as we can with all our neighbours.
2014 is a crucial year for the Balkans. On one hand, it is the first year since Balkans exist.
It comes without conflict. On the other, we need to make the most out of peace we have managed to achieve.
We live in a world where information is probably the first to speak.
Social media is playing a crucial role not only in getting people to over and ignoring the borders, but also in organising people together.
In the Balkans, same as in the EU, the young generation is eager to have a more prosperous future now that the dark shadows of war have disappeared.
Our new generation needs to see the light of hope.
They need to get better education, better health care, more job opportunities.
Without this new horizons, the future could look dark for all for our young generations.
We together should not around this risk.
We need to give hope not only by running across the road towards Europe, but by building Europe at home prior to the election.
We promised to play a constructive role by encouraging and supporting dialogue and agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.
And we have done so.
And I will be the first Libyan leader to seek to visit Serbia and to do so precisely so we can play our part in healing the scars,
in the role of both wars and conflicts which also new and hope to bring to an end.
This new approach leading to a future of cooperation rather than back on the path of hatred and suspicion,
opens the door to the possibility of a new era for all.
We are actively engaged in regional projects in the fields of energy security, infrastructure,
transport, tourism and of course the job market in which we are taking steps for civilisation.
You may know that before politics I was not present. It was introduced.
So with Parliament speeches and discussions and who knows?
Still, I draw a big smile.
And on today's campus for Grazia, there are flickering brushstrokes of hope and colour as we escape the dark shadows from
past and the hard challenges that all countries face in this very turbulent world.
So opportunities and challenges and really face to face is two equally strong.
Defiance shapes the shape of opportunities the parents face, leading one of the youngest operations in the world.
And it will be the people.
Some of them I had the privilege to know the wonderful nature of these natural resources, particularly in terms of hydroelectric energy.
It contains our historical and cultural treasures unique to timely,
unexploited rural areas, low cost investment, resource, sustainable and highly profitable.
The fascinating geopolitical position of Albania. The sense of the crossing points of many lines, some of them relating to energy,
of others through dialogue between cultures, civilisations and traditions.
What we see is a distinctive presence in this picture. Our leading citizens,
people with survived at the centre of the peoples and living discrimination and who I think now have a strong hope
about sustainable welfare and the regional harmony to what President Kennedy used to refer to as the peace work.
As Prime Minister, this government is not always easy to manage because of social and political constraints.
However, we do work brilliantly with great communities to better and fairer future for our country, our region and Europe.
This is because we are sure that the EU benefits Albania and I can promise with the next generation that will benefit the EU.
You are going to be good for us. We can be good for you. We can all be groups for each other.
Thank.