Albanian President Ilir Meta declared today he cannot decree Olta Xhaçka as the new Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs as long as Edi Rama has not stepped down from his post as the head of the ministry.

Prime Minister Rama also holds the post of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs ever since the resignation of Ditmir Bushati and he appointed Gent Cakaj as vice minister and acting Minister. Cakaj stepped down on Tuesday, but Meta told the program Tempora this is the departure only of a vice minister, not of the minister. As a consequence, Xhaçka may be decreed as the new minister only if Rama resigns or is dismissed.

“In this case we have a vice minister that offered the resignation and this has nothing to do with the newly nominated minister. First I must have the proposal for the reverse of the decree of Edi Rama as Foreign Minister”, Meta said.

The President also showed reserves for the new Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, who is still under an inquiry over an affair of pesticides. However, Meta added he hasn’t had official proposals yet from Premier Edi Rama.