Secretary Blinken asserted that Albania is key to dealing with so many of the challenges we face and that we can most effectively deal with together. He thanked Albania for its hospitality hosting Afghans, its support at the United Nations Security Council, and for its support for Ukraine against Russia’s horrific, unprovoked invasion. The Secretary noted that business ties continue to grow and discussed the need to continue strengthening independent justice reform as a crucial part of boosting economic growth and EU accession efforts. The Secretary and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani signed two Memorandums of Understanding on the Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation and on the US Fulbright Program.