US ambassador in Tirana Yuri Kim met this Friday with the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, after the latter took the new post as Deputy Prime Minister. 

In a post on social networks, the American diplomat emphasizes, among other things, that they confirmed the strong cooperation with the USA regarding the latest cyber attack against Albania. 

The American ambassador also underlines the issue of anti-corruption. She recalls that US President Joe Biden has also made this clear, who sees corruption as a threat to national security.

"Today I met with Belinda Balluku to congratulate her on the additional portfolio as deputy prime minister. We look forward to strengthening cooperation on all fronts, including responding to challenges to food and energy security on a global scale caused by Russia's unjustified war against Ukraine. 

We also confirmed strong US cooperation regarding the recent cyber attack against Albania. American experts from various agencies are supporting Albania's efforts to conduct full forensics; enhancing cyber security to protect government and citizens; and prevent recurrence. 

I emphasized the importance of more concrete steps to root out corruption, to ensure that officials act according to the highest standards and to implement justice reform. As Biden has made clear, the US views corruption as a threat to national security, and we will take action accordingly," Kim writes.