TIRANA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The news that Albania was elected for the first time as a non-permanent United Nations (UN) Security Council member has unleashed a torrent of national pride in the eastern European country on Friday.

Albania, together with Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates, was elected on Friday as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Albania is the only country among the five that has never served on the Security Council.

"I applaud today's election of Albania as a non-permanent member at the UN Security Council for the first time in 65 years of membership in this organization for the global peace, security and stability," Albanian President Ilir Meta tweeted.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, via a Facebook message, called the election "good news" for the country.

"With 175 votes out of 117 needed, Albania has just been elected a member of the UN Security Council for the years 2022-2023," Rama wrote.

Via a message in her Twitter account, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhacka called the election "a historical achievement for Albanian diplomacy."

Parliament Speaker Gramoz Ruci also welcomed the vote for Albania, calling the election a "deserved success."

"All Albanian institutions have merit in this achievement. They not only lobbied but knew how to create fair perceptions and convinced the 175 member states for the guarantees that Albania offers as a contributor to democracy, development and peace," Ruci said in his message.

The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) delegation to Albania Luigi Soreca also called the election "a historical day for the country."

"Congratulations for election as member of the UN Security Council 2022-2023. Looking forward to working even more closely together in addressing global issues," Soreca tweeted.

The Chinese Embassy in Tirana also posted a congratulatory message to the Albanian side via its Twitter account.

"Congratulations to Albania for its election for the first time in history as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. We look forward to deepening cooperation with Albania," read the message. Enditem

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