TIRANA, March 7/ATA/ – Slovenia will support Albania’s opening accession negotiations to the European Union.
The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Ambassador Andrej Logar paid a two-day visit to Albania.
Ambassador Lea Stančič accompanied him at the bilateral meeting he held with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania Mr. Ditmir Bushati and at political consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Etjen Xhafaj.
During the talks, Albania’s significant progress on the European path was welcomed and Slovenia’s support for the imminent start of Albania’s accession negotiations with the EUwas reiterated.
The efforts of Albania in the framework of reform processes that are inextricably linked to the progress of the country in the process of EU accession were the central theme of the talks between State Secretary Logar and Minister Bushati. State Secretary expressed Slovenia’s expectation that the successful implementation of the reforms – especially in the field of justice – would encourage further Albania’s efforts and contribute to the granting of a recommendation to Albania for the start of accession negotiations with the EU this year.
Minister Bushati thanked Slovenia for supporting the enlargement process within the EU and for the contribution of Slovenian development cooperation and Slovenian experts in strengthening the European perspective of Albania. The two sides agreed that enhancing economic cooperation would be the key to upgrading friendly relations between the two countries.
State Secretary Logar assured continued support of Slovenia to Albania’s European integration process, including bilateral technical assistance projects. Slovenia performs in Albania some visible development projects: technical assistance directed to local authorities, projects in the field of natural resource management (ecological rehabilitation and afforestation) and the project of strengthening the role of women in the rural environment.
At political consultations, State Secretary Logar and Deputy Minister Xhafai examined bilateral cooperation between the two countries and held talks on key issues affecting the Western Balkans region. They addressed the key economic areas where there is a mutual interest in strengthening cooperation: energy and natural resources management, in particular water resources, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. They agreed that shortly there will be consultations in the field of economic diplomacy, which will mark concrete opportunities for the start and development of cooperation. The two sides also agreed that there is an opportunity for more intensive cooperation between both countries in the field of foreign and security policy and multilateral diplomacy.
During his visit to Tirana, State Secretary Logar will also meet with Albanian counterparts and representatives of civil society.
/m.b/
