Gogu said Albania was at a stage of negotiations with the European Union, moving toward closing interim benchmarks ahead of an intergovernmental conference and the next phase of accession talks.

He praised Austria’s continued support for Albania’s justice reform, highlighting programmes focused on free legal aid, the inclusion of young legal professionals and the strengthening of civil society.

“Discussions focused on making justice more accessible, faster and more reliable. This is not just institutional cooperation, but a joint investment in public trust,” Gogu said.

Despite progress, challenges remain, including improving access to justice, increasing efficiency and strengthening procedural safeguards, he added.

Sporrer welcomed Albania’s reform efforts and confirmed Austria’s support for its EU path, including its contribution to the International Monitoring Operation.

Both ministers said tangible progress in the rule of law remains key to advancing EU integration, pledging continued cooperation to ensure reforms are effectively implemented.

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Sejko and Governor of Austria’s central bank two discussed ways to deepen economic ties between their countries.

Governor Sejko pointed to the growing influence of Austrian investments in Albania’s financial sector.

“Austrian investments account for about 6% of the total of foreign direct investment inflow in Albania,” Sejko said, adding that there is a lot of room to further expand bilateral economic and technical cooperation.

Sejko expressed gratitude for Austria’s support for Albania’s European Union integration process, voicing confidence that the two countries will further bolster economic cooperation.

Sejko also familiarized Holzmann on Albania’s latest economic performance, noting that despite global challenges, the country saw a 4.1% growth in economic activity during the second quarter of 2024, while inflation has stayed low.

Both officials stressed the importance of reforms to further integrate the region’s economies with the Eurozone, given how interconnected they are.

The meeting reinforced the strong ties between Albania and Austria and highlighted opportunities for even greater collaboration in the future.

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