TIRANA, Oct 27 /ATA/ President of the Republic Bajram Begaj received on Thursday the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who is visiting Albania as part of a regional tour of the Western Balkans.
Von der Leyen praised the role of Albania as an important factor of stability in the region and highlighted the important progress that Albania is making on its pathway to European Union.
“The new level of Albania’s relations with the EU after the opening of accession negotiations and the determination of my country to maintain the momentum of the European integration, make your visit to Tirana even more important,” he said.
The President said that this visit not only reaffirms the very good cooperation that exists between us, but is also a message of encouragement and great support for Albania in these times of threats and challenges for the peace and security of the Western Balkan region.
The Head of State assured the President of the European Commission that Albania is determined to push ahead with the European agenda.
He said that the progress report for Albania is an unbiased guide and encourages all Albanian institutions to act in a responsible, transparent and comprehensive manner.
As to cooperation projects, Begaj underlined that significant investments in key sectors of the economy such as infrastructure and energy guarantee a sustainable development of Albania and the region, helping to reach the standards for European Union accession.
“The energy support package and investments in infrastructure supported by the European Commission pave the way for better connections between Albania and countries of the region, as well as bring it closer to the EU standards. Albania is committed to the fundamental values of the EU and integration into the European family is its biggest strategic objective,” he said.
Begaj highly appreciated the EU’s latest commitment to co-finance the rehabilitation project of the Vorë-Hani i Hoti railway, which is of great importance for Albania’s connection with the European railway network.
He underlined the necessity of EU and its member countries maintaining its focus on the Western Balkans region and welcomed the latest decision taken by the President of the European Council to hold in Tirana the upcoming high-level EU-Western Balkans meeting.
Begaj also welcomed the assessment of the European Commission that Kosovo has met all the requirements and approves the liberalization of visas for its citizens, and considered the fulfilment of this commitment as soon as possible by the EU as another important step for the stability and development of the Western Balkan region.
/sm/
