From today, until June 30, Albania will chair for first time the Presidency of the Security Council, the first body of the United Nations, based in New York. 

On this occasion, Prime Minister Edi Rama distributed a video message from the US, saying that it is a historic day, as well as a privilege for Albania. The world is troubled by conflict, Rama says, and a person's rights are being severely tested. 

"In Europe, the wounds of the wars that followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, especially in Kosovo, are still open. We are doing everything we can to move forward without forgetting the past, but coming to terms with a common one in peace." 

Russian aggression in Ukraine can not be avoided, that's why PM Rama asks reaction.

"Russia's war in Ukraine has challenged European security and shaken the world order based on rules. We can not and should not get used to impunity. It is urgent to act, now, for the countless victims of meaningless conflicts, but also for all of us, for what we believe in, for what brings us together, to uphold the law, to safeguard multilateral action." 

On Thursday, Prime Minister Rama will lead the open high-level debate of the Security Council on international accountability, as one of the priorities of our country in the Security Council, highlighted even more due to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In the meantime, until June 30, Albania will lead several debate sessions in this UN body. Albania on January 1 was elected for the first time a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023.