Albanian President, Ilir Meta, meets Iran opposition leader Mrs. Maryam Rajavi in Ashraf 3, home to MEK members, in Albania

On September 13, Albanian President Ilir Meta visited Ashraf 3 in Albania, where over 3,000 members of the Iranian Resistance group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), have been safely relocated from Iraq.

The MEK members welcomed President Meta and Fatmir Mediu, who is chair of the Albanian Republican Party and Meta’s National Security Adviser, with open arms.

During President Meta’s visit, he met with President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) Maryam Rajavi and they toured the exhibition detailing the 120 years of struggle for freedom in Iran. Then, he met with MEK members.

President Meta told the MEK members: “I had no idea about the extent of your sacrifice and the genocide you and your supporter have endured. Having the possibility to see so many people, women and children, massacred was shocking.”

He continued:  “This was also an indication of a widespread movement inside Iran and showed how tyrannical the regime is. This is really bad not only for the people of Iran but also for regional and global peace and stability…I was very impressed with the Ten-point Plan of Mrs. Rajavi because it is based on fundamental freedoms and will guarantee prosperity and democracy for the Iranian people. All of us here in Albania are united in our support for your efforts and determination.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi gives the book of martyrs of MEK to the President of Albania

These comments were, of course, welcomed by Rajavi, who said that the Iranian people will never forget Albania’s hospitality towards the MEK. She then praised Albania’s decisiveness over the Iranian Regime, most notably expelling the Regime’s ambassador for his involvement in terrorism. She said that Albania serves as a role model for other countries in this regard.

Rajavi then reiterated a fact that should no longer need to be underscored; that the Iranian Regime cannot be reformed and appeasement does not work. In fact, appeasing religious dictatorship only encourages more terrorism and fundamentalism. She stated that regime change by the Iranian people and the Iranian Resistance is the only way to achieve regional and international peace and stability.

Before leaving, President Meta signed the guest book in memoriam of the Iranian Resistance’s martyrs’ at the exhibition.

He wrote: “It was an extraordinary experience for me to become acquainted with the unimaginable sacrifices for freedom and social justice of this movement… We will be proud that we did our best for you to enjoy freedom. Until then, this will be your home.

Stuff Writer