Prime Minister Edi Rama has admitted for the first time during a tv show on Monday evening that he knew former Prime Minister, Sali Berisha would be declared persona non-grata. 

Rama stated that he knew many other things due to his duty but cannot reveal them. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister did not prefer to make further comments, however, he stressed that Berisha's declaration non-grata came directly from the US and not from any possible lobbying. 

"I have no comment on his proclamation non-grata, every comment politicizes him here inside, while this is not domestic politics. If the US and DOS functioned with lobbying, imagine how many dictators with boxes of gold and diamonds could have bought America. America does not work like that because if it were like that they would be like us, like everyone else. It does not happen, it is a tale that tells those who believe it, taking advantage of ignorance. It does not happen," Rama stated.

On January 31, 2019, Prime Minister Edi Rama caused a lot of debate on public opinion as during the parliamentary session he asked former Prime Minister Berisha: "Sali, why don't you pass the ocean?" 

Around two years later, on May 19, 2021, DOS declared Berisha and his family persona non-grata due to high corruption with heavy consequences on democracy.