TIRANA, Nov 19 /ATA/ The Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Michael Linhart, stated on Friday that Albania has successfully completed its homework regarding the start of EU accession talks hoping that they will be opened in December.
Linhart, who is on a visit to Tirana, had a meeting on Friday with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka.
At the joint press conference after the meeting, Linhart said that, “we had a very fruitful conversation on various topics related to our bilateral relations, but also to the European dimension, the European integration of Albania and all the Western Balkan region, which of course, for Austria and for me personally, is also a matter close to my heart. ”
“We also discussed cooperation in the battle with the pandemic. I think it is very important that we work together, because especially in times of crisis we need to stand by each other,” Linhart said.
He underlined that Austria has also taken on the role of coordinator in the deployment of vaccines made available by the EU. “But we are also willing to provide vaccine stocks from our own funds if necessary,” he said.
“We see a lot of potential here. Albania is not only a market with great potential for the future, but also a very important country for our common Europe. Therefore, for us it is of high importance to support Albania along its path to European membership, because Albania belongs to Europe not only from a cultural and economic perspective but also due to the fact that has successfully done its homework. ”
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