BUJSHME / Albania declares Russian diplomat "non grata": To leave within 72 hours!

Today, the Albanian state has declared non grata and expelled the Russian diplomat after violating the anti-covid-19 measures. "The Albanian government wants to strengthen friendly relations with the Russian Federation, and expresses regret that the goodwill of both parties has been violated by repeated individual actions of the Russian diplomatic staff in Tirana, in non-compliance with the measures taken by the Albanian authorities for protection. of population to COVID-19.

Since April 2020, but also at the beginning of this year, the Albanian Government has had constant complaints and denunciations, on the open violations of the measures taken by a diplomat of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tirana.

Senior representatives of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs have contacted the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Tirana, Mikhail Afanasiev, expressing concern about the continuing violations of anti-COVID-19 measures by the diplomat. The MFA welcomed and deeply appreciated the ambassador's fully cooperative role on this issue, with the promise that these acts would not be repeated.

Unfortunately, contrary to the promises, the diplomat continued to violate the measures, despite the expression of goodwill of both parties not to repeat the violations.

The repeated challenge of rules and protection measures against the pandemic, and the disregard of the concerns of the Albanian state institutions regarding them, can not be justified and can not be further tolerated.

With regret, the Albanian Government has taken the decision to declare the diplomat Alexey Krivosheev "Person NON Grata" (undesirable person), with the obligation to leave within 72 hours from the moment of giving the official notification.

We hope that this decision imposed by non-compliance with the laws and rules of the Albanian state, in such a challenging time for the whole globe, will be fully understood by the Russian side, as a necessary measure for the protection of health and safety of all citizens within the territory of the Republic of Albania, whether these Albanians or not.

We assure the Russian side for our friendly feelings and for our readiness, following the good work started, for the continuous improvement of the relations between our two countries ", declares the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.