Countryman out , Reeker in

It’s not official yet but reliable sources confirm it: Thomas Countryman, whose face and name are very known to the Albanian public, has left his position as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and has been assigned to another position in the Department of State. Countryman was a well-affirmed expert of Balkan and could influence the political developments in Albania at any time. His persuasive eloquence was associated with an imposing personality.

His successor, Philip T. Reeker, is another expert of Balkan, perhaps even a better one. He served as U.S. ambassador in Skopje from 2008 to 2011. It is said that he is of an opposite nature from Countryman. He is more restrained and always in search of balances and also very cautious.  It remains to be seen whether such a nature will help him deal with the troubles of Albanian politics and that of the entire Balkan.

By E.G.