This is what Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, told a joint press conference from the Palazzo della Farnesina, Rome, with Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is paying an official visit to Italy on Wednesday.

Di Maio and Prime Minister Rama chaired the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Socio-Economic Affairs between the two countries, which was launched a year ago during Di Maio’s visit in Tirana.

“First and foremost, our objective is to strengthen our relations and take another major step forward in the cooperation between our two countries. This comes not only as an obligation deriving from the bond between our two countries, but also from the EU membership, so I confirm our support for Albania along the path to integration in the European family. I hope and support the opening of accession negotiations before the end of this year,” said Di Maio.

According to him, “this would give a message of confidence and optimism for the entire Balkan region.”

Di Maio assessed that the exchange they had today in the Committee was very fruitful. “Our objective now is to materialize ideas in the coming months and to that end we agreed on an action plan to deliver on the commitments undertaken in all strategic sectors. Several important perspectives for our cooperation have been brought to the focus.”

“In the sector of infrastructure, at issue is modernization that Prime Minister Rama is making a reality on the construction sites all over Albania and we as Italians want to be protagonists in implementation of these projects. Regarding this we can build on the presence of Italian companies operating in the Albanian market, contributing to employment and economic growth,” said Di Maio, while assessing that Italy is Albania’s principal trading partner.

He highlighted the presence in the Albanian market of many Italian entrepreneurs and the prospect of integration through the Albania-Montenegro interconnection line.

Di Maio also drew attention to the conclusions of the Glasgow Climate Conference, which underlined that cooperation in this sector should take precedence at both the national and European levels.

“From this perspective, Italy and Albania can take on a leading role in the Western Balkans through the economic development plan launched by the EC,” he said.

For his part, Prime Minister Rama assessed that “in this joint committee, we were able to discuss concrete topics and actions and pinpoint concrete paths in areas of common interest.”

“I am very pleased with this day that started at the Prime Minister’s office and continued in bilateral meetings of ministers and those who are not present here, but represent some important pillars of cooperation between Albania and Italy, as are the topics of justice and security, “Rama said.

He expressed confidence that this joint work will come to fruition next year. We are willing to continue working together as part of the Italian week we intend to organize next June. From tomorrow we will continue to work on these projects from railways, to projects on maritime economy, infrastructure and energy, agriculture, ecological transition, tourism, culture and so on, bearing in mind the pillars that have always defined our cooperation as are security and justice, ” said Rama.
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