Albanian-Americans gathered outside a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Troy, Michigan, on Sunday, September 20, protesting issues they say are affecting Albania.

The demonstration took place as Rama met with members of the Albanian community during the opening of his visit to the United States ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

FOX 2 Detroit reported that many Albanian-Americans gathered outside the meeting to protest what is happening in Albania. Images from the demonstration showed protesters carrying Albanian and American flags and holding signs critical of Rama and his government.

Among the messages displayed by protesters were criticisms related to Albania’s government, corruption and coastal development. The protest was held outside the hotel where Rama’s meeting with members of the community was taking place.

The demonstration came as Rama presented his visit as an opportunity to meet with Albanian-Americans and discuss Albania’s relationship with its diaspora.

Before the event, Rama announced that he would begin his U.S. visit in Michigan, saying he had been invited by the Albanian community and inviting other Albanians in the United States to attend.

During the meeting, Rama spoke about Albania’s development, its path toward European Union membership and the role of the diaspora. He said Albania is no longer a country of survival but one of hope, while arguing that the diaspora should be viewed as more than a source of remittances.

Rama also addressed the recent verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. He said Albania would stand by Kosovo, while maintaining that Kosovo’s institutions should determine how to respond to the first-instance judgment.

The Michigan meeting was the first stop in Rama’s U.S. visit, which is taking place as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.