Head of the Parliamentary group of Socialist Party (SP), Taulant Balla has stressed Monday the importance of American support in Albania, saying that the country expects American operators in the tourism sector as well. 

In a conference held in the framework of the 100th anniversary between countries' relations, Balla stated that the United States remains a strategic ally and constitutes the foundation of Albania's foreign policy. 

"Achieving this goal must be an essential, first-hand, priority in relations with the United States. The number of American businesses, or with joint Albanian-American capital, is still very small compared to the attractive opportunities and offer of Albania for American entrepreneurship, where we expect American operators in the tourism sector. 

And to close this opening word I am again using the words of President Wilson "… for the establishment of a lasting peace in Europe and in the world, we need capable and dignified partners, ready to make joint commitments." 

I think that today after 1 century of diplomatic relations, the US is our ally and strategic partner. For us, relations with the United States are of paramount importance at the level of strategic partnership and constitute the foundation of our foreign policy. As we take stock of a century today, we can say that regardless of which of the two parties the US President comes from, we are always grateful for the support that the US has given to Albania and Albanian issues. The US supports the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law in Albania and we are grateful. A well-deserved thank you to all the American ambassadors in Albania for their excellent work as a direct representative of the US President", said Balla.