The ministerial brought together high-level representatives from participating countries to discuss enhancing contributions and joint capabilities for regional security, addressing shared challenges and threats and coordinating policies and efforts within the framework of the European Union.

In a social media post, Minister Nufi highlighted our country’s unwavering commitment to regional cooperation in defense and security.

“Albania remains committed to enhancing regional cooperation in the fields of defense and security, contributing to the consolidation of a safer, more stable and more united European space. In close coordination with allies and partners, our country continues to support joint efforts for peace, stability and the European perspective of the Western Balkans,” he stated. /p.s./

In his remarks, the Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky underscored the critical importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing regional defense and security.

He praised the Central European Defense Cooperation (CEDC) and its role in strengthening regional cooperation in defense and security, underlining that the Western Balkans is on focus of the Central Europe countries.

On his part, Defense Minister Peleshi lauded the significance of CEDC initiative in bolstering cooperation among nations in the region, particularly emphasizing the focus on the Western Balkans and Kosovo’s inclusion in this initiative.

Defense chief reiterated Albania’s unwavering dedication to regional cooperation, pledging continued support for initiatives aimed at promoting good neighborly relations and ensuring peace and security in the region and beyond.

Peleshi emphasized the imperative of dialogue and cooperation in tackling the myriad challenges facing the region, from the fallout of conflicts in neighboring Ukraine to external influences seeking to disrupt stability in the Western Balkans.

Notably, he underscored the pivotal role of dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, supported by the European Union and the United States, as the cornerstone for preserving regional integrity and peace.

Established more than a decade ago, the CEDC format has served for Ministers to address the issues of Western Balkans region and defence cooperation within the EU.

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