Hoxha made the remarks at a meeting of the Adriatic Charter foreign ministers, hosted by Croatia, where he called for strengthening the regional mechanism in response to emerging security challenges and for more inclusive regional cooperation.

“Kosovo’s application for membership has been pending for far too long. Progress on this issue would strengthen regional cohesion and our collective ability to address common security challenges,” Hoxha said.

More than two decades after its creation, the Adriatic Charter remains an important pillar of regional security and Euro-Atlantic cooperation, he said.

Foreign Minister Hoxha highlighted cyber threats, energy security and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) as challenges requiring greater effectiveness from the Charter, alongside deeper and broader regional cooperation.

He also stressed the importance of inclusiveness, saying security in the Western Balkans required the full integration of all countries and societies in regional mechanisms for cooperation and shared responsibility.

“Long-term stability can only be achieved when all countries and societies in the region are fully integrated into the framework of cooperation, security and shared responsibility on which our common future rests,” Hoxha said.

A more open, stronger and more inclusive Adriatic Charter, capable of adapting to emerging challenges, would contribute to a safer Western Balkans and a shared Euro-Atlantic future, he added.

/m.q/r.e/a.f/u.sh/

During his speech, Vengu highlighted both inherited challenges and emerging threats in the region, emphasizing the need for closer partnership, investment in human capital, cybersecurity, industry, equipment, and joint systems.

“The Western Balkans still face many inherited challenges and new threats, which require closer partnership, investment in human capital, cybersecurity, industry, equipment, and joint systems,” Vengu said in a social media post.

He added that, with the United States, the regional initiative serves as a crucial platform to foster more effective cooperation to enhance the resilience of all participating countries.

In this context, Vengu stressed that Kosovo’s membership in the Adriatic Charter (A5) is a strategic necessity.

/gj.m/a.f/r.e/u.sh/

Vengu highlighted Albania’s commitment to strengthening regional and NATO cooperation, stressing that the U.S.-backed Adriatic Charter remains a vital driver of practical collaboration and collective resilience.

“To remain relevant and credible, we must act decisively in five key areas: increasing defense budgets, expanding our defense industry, modernizing armed forces, investing in critical infrastructure, and enhancing interoperability,” he said.

Albania, he added, is revitalizing its military industrial base and upgrading strategic infrastructure in line with NATO and EU priorities.

Vengu reaffirmed Albania’s military contributions abroad, noting the deployment of around 500 troops in NATO and EU missions, including KFOR in Kosovo, EUFOR Althea in Bosnia, and NATO’s eastern flank missions in Latvia and Bulgaria.

He also reiterated Albania’s continued political and military support for Ukraine.

/gj.m//a.f//r.e/u.sh/