Nearly a week after announcing the suspension of his re-election campaign, Mayor Eric Adams is now on an official visit to Albania. According to NBC New York, City Hall confirmed that the trip aims to strengthen economic relations between New York City and Albania. Adams, who departed yesterday, is scheduled to spend four days meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as tech and business leaders, to promote economic engagement and tourism for the city.
The travel costs for Mayor Adams and an accompanying staff member are being covered by city funds, while the Albanian government is providing lodging and ground transportation, according to Kayla Mamelak, the mayor’s spokeswoman. The mayor’s office stated that accepting these accommodations complies with city conflict-of-interest rules and supports security coordination with the host country. Adams is also accompanied by his security detail for the duration of the visit, as detailed by NY Daily News.
Mayor Adams' connection to Albania includes a personal dimension in addition to political and economic interests. His son, Jordan Coleman, an aspiring rapper, has previously performed in Albania, which the mayor referenced during an interview with Albanian TV presenter Alketa Vejsiu. In the conversation, Adams said, “jealous of my son — he went to Albania, he performed there, and you know here in New York, this is the Albania of America,” as per report by NY Daily News. While New York City is home to the largest Albanian diaspora in the United States, it has been confirmed that his son will not be accompanying him on this visit.
While the official purpose of the trip is to promote New York City’s economic interests, it also highlights Mayor Adams’ longstanding connection with the Albanian community. City Hall noted that Adams has previously participated in Albanian cultural celebrations and parades. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet with members of the Albanian Parliament and Cabinet. According to spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak, Adams has not expressed any intention of pursuing an ambassadorship or other job opportunities during the trip.
The former NYPD captain and Brooklyn borough president has been involved in several controversies, including a federal corruption indictment related to discounted travel allegedly accepted from Turkish officials, a charge that was later dropped by the Trump administration. On the political front, Adams’ recent withdrawal from the mayoral race has generated discussion, though no official announcements have been made regarding his future plans amid declining talks about a possible role in the Trump administration, as reported by NY Daily News.
