TIRANA, March 7 /ATA/-By I. Vata/ – Albania’s integration into the European Union was the focus of talks during a meeting between the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Gramoz Ruçi and the Acting Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Ivan Korčok, who is on an official visit to Tirana.
During the meeting, the two top officials praised the friendly relations between the two countries and voiced shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties and the very good cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Ruçi and the visiting Slovak Foreign Minister also expressed readiness to further intensify economic cooperation in the field of energy, infrastructure and tourism.
In his remarks, Parliament Speaker highlighted the positive developments and Albania’s progress in addressing key EU integration reforms.
Ruçi also underlined the concrete steps towards fulfilment of the recommendations set forth by the European Commission in its reports on Albania’s bid to join the EU, singling out the adoption and implementation of the justice system reform.
The Parliament Speaker also voiced confidence that Albania’s concrete achievements in its efforts to address the key recommendations will form the basis for the EU member states to open the accession talks.
Ruçi called for Slovakia’s support for Albania’s bid to join the bloc.
The two also discussed the progress of the European integration process of the Western Balkan countries and the need to further strengthen regional cooperation, which is one of the main pillars behind the Stabilization and Association Process.
Slovakia’s Korčok emphasized that Western Balkan countries should leave behind their past and work together to strengthen political and economic cooperation in order to advance their EU integration agenda.
Recognizing Albania’s steps towards fulfilling the accession obligations, Slovak Foreign Minister expressed support, wishing “may 2018 be a successful year for Albania’s integration into the EU.”
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