TIRANA, May 16/ATA/ Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Olta Xhaçka participated today in the informal meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs of the European Union with the ministers of foreign affairs of the Western Balkan in Brussels, at the invitation of the EU High Representative of Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
In a press release, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs announced that the purpose of the meeting was to develop a strategic debate on the Western Balkans between the foreign ministers of all EU member states and those of the Western Balkan countries in the wake of the new challenges created by Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Minister Xhaçka highlighted Albania’s progress in the path of the European integration process, as well as the commitment of the Albanian government to the further implementation of reforms related with the European agenda.
“Albania is an ally and reliable partner of the European Union in terms of foreign and security policy, being fully in line with the decisions and statements of the European Union in this field,” said Xhaçka.
The chief diplomat also stressed that the way Albania has reacted to the current geopolitical situation has further raised the values of our country in the eyes of Euro-Atlantic partners.
“The Western Balkan region should not be allowed to become a collateral damage to the crisis in Ukraine, but should be included in joint European initiatives to address the challenges ahead, said Xhaçka.
Meanwhile, the decision to set the date of the first intergovernmental conference between Albania and the EU, according to Minister Xhaçka, would be the only way to maintain the transformative power of the EU in the region, to maintain high civic support for the EU integration process, as well as to increase the ability to cope with the influence of third actors.
During the discussions, the participants highlighted the significance of the relations between the EU and the Western Balkans, agreeing on the fact that the full integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is a priority and an important security, economic and geostrategic investment for the European Union itself. /a.a/p.s./
