Europe donates more than doubled of Albania's Government expectations for Earthquake aftermath

 Ursula von der Leyen

 Speaking with Deutsche Wellen, the Minister of Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj expressed gratitude for the European solidarity shown these months. 'Solidarity is too great, but the figure will eventually materialize,' he says. Minister Ahmetaj expected that "in combination with grants and loans, it will be possible to collect at around 450 million euros of assistance for Albania. "Because of the tour that the prime minister has done in some countries, because of the sensitivity in European countries we expect an almost similar figure." However, he points out, the needs are much greater. "I am concerned about how we will give the economy an impetus these years and how infrastructure damage will be eliminated."

However, Europe donated more than doubles the expected figure by the Albanian government.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Edi Rama held a joint press conference following the closing of the Donors' Conference in Brussels, raising over 1.15 billion euros to cope with the aftermath of the devastating November 26 earthquake in Albania.

The senior EC official expressed satisfaction with the results of this Donors' Conference, where a number of donations, loans and grants were collected to cover the needs of Albania to cope with the consequences of this disaster.

"Albania is not alone and we will continue to help it as it is a partner and a friend of the EU. I am happy that the EU and other financial institutions have given a considerable amount, which outstripped all forecasts. This is phenomenal, the total amount covers all the needs of the country”, said EC President Von Der Leyen.