Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama praised Estonia as a model for digital transformation and democratic resilience during an official visit to Tallinn, while calling on Estonian innovators and technology companies to expand cooperation with Albania.
Speaking alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Rama said Albania and Estonia are united not only through NATO membership but also through their shared commitment to defending democracy and resisting external attempts to undermine democratic societies.
“We are determined to protect what we have,” Rama said, describing the two countries as “natural allies and friends.”
Without directly naming Russia in that part of his remarks, Rama stressed that both Albania and Estonia had experienced decades under imposed authoritarian systems and now shared a common desire to protect freedom and democratic values.
The Albanian prime minister thanked Estonia for supporting Albania’s European Union integration path and highlighted the Baltic country as an example of technological innovation and institutional modernization.
Rama described Tallinn as “a laboratory of the future,” saying Albania wants to follow Estonia’s model in digital governance, education and artificial intelligence.
“Estonia has become a global brand through innovation, and we want our path toward 2030 to be built on the same vision,” Rama said.
He noted that around 95 percent of Albanian public services are already available online and said the government is accelerating investments in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Rama also invited Estonian technology entrepreneurs to invest in Albania, insisting the invitation was “not just protocol,” but part of the country’s long-term strategic vision.
“I want to see Estonian innovators looking toward Albania,” he said.
The Albanian leader highlighted growing economic and tourism ties between the two countries, noting that the number of Estonian visitors to Albania has tripled since 2023.
He also expressed hope for expanded direct air connections between Tallinn and Tirana in the future.