In a joint press briefing after the meeting with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, and Minister for European Affairs and Ownership of Finland, Tytti Tuppurainen, Byrne said that, “I believe that North Macedonia and Albania will receive the green light for opening of accession negotiations.”

“I think that Albania has already shown a great deal of patience, and I hope that the First Intergovernmental Conference will be held this week,” he said.

“I believe that when this happens, we will work on other levels in the upcoming years, such as freedom of the media in economic field and the rule of law,” said Byrne.

“I would like to thank Albania for the work it has done in the UN Security Council and I believe it is of remarkable significance to see small countries play such a big role in the international political arena,” he said.

Byrne added that, “the war in Ukraine has played a major role in Europe, it has once again turned the spotlight on security and the challenges facing our continent. And the idea and purpose of the EU is to protect peace and work together with the neighbors for all these good things that await us.”

“I will also meet this afternoon with the Minister of Justice and we look forward to supporting your reforms which will further your country’s developments in the realm of the rule of law,” concluded Byrne. /j.p/sm/