The United States Embassy in Tirana on Friday evening hosted a welcome reception for the new US ambassador, Eric Wendt.
The ceremony was held at a hotel in the former Blloku area, under heightened security measures, with around 130 guests in attendance from politics, state institutions, the justice system, diplomacy and other areas of public life.
Among the guests was the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj.
What stood out was the absence of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha. It has not been made known whether Rama’s absence was related to other commitments or to the guest list. Meanwhile, Berisha had said several days earlier that he had not received an invitation to the event. During the afternoon, he was in Korça, where he held a meeting with Democratic Party supporters.
Also attending the reception were Democratic Party parliamentary group chairman Gazment Bardhi, as well as MP Oerd Bylykbashi. Also present was Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla.
Among the participants were also former Speaker of Parliament Elisa Spiropali, MP Bledi Çuçi, as well as Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, who was among the first Albanian officials to meet Ambassador Wendt after his arrival in Tirana.
Also attending the ceremony were Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi, Culture Minister Blendi Gonxhja, Justice Minister Toni Gogu and Mirela Kumbaro.
Also present was Agron Shehaj, leader of the “Mundësia” party.
Representatives of religious communities were also part of the reception.