Hoxha said the meetings focused on a range of issues of mutual interest between Albania and its strategic ally, the United States.

“Together with Deputy Secretary Landau, and in a more in-depth meeting with Under Secretary Allison Hooker, we discussed a number of issues of mutual interest with our strategic partner and ally, the United States, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening our cooperation,” Hoxha wrote on social platform X.

He said the discussions also underscored the enduring strength of Albanian-U.S. ties, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared values and reinforced by decades of close partnership.

Hoxha noted the partnership is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to freedom, democracy, security and prosperity.

Hooker also commented on the meeting in a post on X.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha. We discussed the close relationship between the United States and Albania, as well as opportunities to further strengthen our shared security and prosperity,” she said.

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Berisha said he expressed gratitude for continued support for the Democratic Party and the Albanian opposition during talks with German lawmakers.

According to Berisha, discussions focused on what he described as Albania’s deep political crisis under Prime Minister Edi Rama, as well as recent youth protests and the government’s response.

He was accompanied by Democratic Party lawmaker Tomor Alizoti.

During the visit, Berisha held separate meetings with several German officials, including Tilman Kuban, the CDU/CSU spokesperson for European policy; Christian Kremer, head of international relations at the CDU; Peter Beyer, rapporteur for transatlantic relations and Western Balkans affairs; and Olav Gutting, a CDU/CSU parliamentarian responsible for finance and budget issues.

He also met Elmar Brok, a former senior European Parliament lawmaker who chaired its Foreign Affairs, Security and Human Rights Committee for two decades, as well as journalist Peter Tiede of the German daily Bild.

Berisha additionally met former Kosovo deputy minister Gani Dreshaj and representatives of the Albanian diaspora in Germany.

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As part of his visit to the German capital, Rama is expected to meet board members of the German Eastern Business Association and chief executives of leading companies from Eastern Europe.

The discussions are intended to promote investment, improve Albania’s business climate and strengthen prospects for regional economic cooperation.

Rama will deliver the keynote speech at the conference’s main session on Tuesday, under the theme: “Albania’s European future: reform, resilience and innovation in a changing geopolitical landscape.”

The session will be moderated by Michael Harms and will also feature Diella, described as the world’s first government minister created with artificial intelligence. A question-and-answer session with participants will follow the address.

On the second day of the visit, June 17, Rama is scheduled to meet German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche. Talks are expected to focus on deepening economic cooperation between Albania and Germany, investment opportunities in the energy sector and Albania’s progress in its European Union accession process.

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During talks with Els Van Hoof, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for EU enlargement and Albania’s membership bid.

In a post on X, Hoxha described the meeting as a productive exchange on bilateral cooperation and the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

The two sides underscored the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue and expanding parliamentary exchanges as a means of strengthening ties between the two countries.

According to Hoxha, parliamentary diplomacy can play an important role in promoting mutual understanding, supporting reform efforts and bringing institutions and societies closer together.

The discussions also covered the EU enlargement process and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans for Europe’s security, stability and prosperity.

Hoxha reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to advancing reforms and continuing accession negotiations with the European Union.

He said Albania remained determined to maintain momentum on its reform agenda and move forward with its EU membership talks, while expressing confidence that the constructive dialogue with Belgium could be translated into concrete initiatives to further deepen bilateral relations.

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The United States Embassy in Tirana said on Friday VanHorn met the Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi, Justice Minister Toni Gogu, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, and Minister of Parliamentary Relations Erjona Ismaili.

VanHorn reiterated the U.S. Embassy’s laser focus on executing the agenda of the Trump White House: Total elimination of organized criminal cartels, getting NATO Allies to honor their Hague defense spending commitment, and fair deals for U.S. companies doing business in Albania.

“We continue to work with partners across ministries and institutions who share our commitment to delivering results for Americans and Albanians alike,” the U.S. diplomat said.

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In discussions with Kosovo counterpart, Peleshi welcomed the timely constitution of Kosovo’s Parliament and the start of the new legislature. He highlighted the high level of parliamentary cooperation between the two legislatures, underpinned by the 2022 Memorandum of Cooperation and joint meetings in Tirana and Prishtina.

Peleshi also praised a resolution supporting former Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) leaders on trial at The Hague, describing it as a clear expression of political will and institutional solidarity, reaffirming support for a fair and impartial judicial process and for the dignity of Kosovo’s liberation struggle.

Both Peleshi and Haxhiu stressed the need to enhance the quality and frequency of cooperation between parliamentary committees, political groups, international delegations, lawmakers, and administrations of both parliaments, including information exchange and legislative alignment to support EU integration and international representation.

Meeting with President Osmani, Peleshi reaffirmed Albania’s full support for Kosovo on the international stage, including new recognitions and membership in regional and international organizations. He commended Kosovo’s clear pro-European orientation, alignment with EU foreign policy, and commitment to rule-of-law reforms.

Peleshi emphasized that Albania would continue to be Kosovo’s strongest advocate, particularly in efforts to achieve EU candidate status and NATO membership.

In talks with Prime Minister Kurti, the focus was on deepening bilateral cooperation across all dimensions and regional developments. The discussions reaffirmed support for the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia dialogue backed by the United States, aiming for a final agreement based on mutual recognition.

Both sides noted Kosovo’s clear commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and welcomed the EU’s removal of restrictive measures as a positive step for advancing its Euro-Atlantic agenda.

Peleshi’s visit underscored high-level political and institutional coordination between Albania and Kosovo, strengthening nationwide cooperation and sending a clear message of stability and strategic partnership in the region.

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The talks with the two senior officials focused on strengthening economic cooperation between Albania and the United States, especially on increasing American investments, energy, infrastructure, and projects of strategic importance.

Spiropali emphasized that, “Albania remains a reliable ally in the NATO and a country open to American business in the Western Balkans.”

“Our partnership with the United States is being strengthened not only in the field of security, but also in economic development and concrete investments,” underlined the Albanian Foreign Minister. /gj.m/p.s./

Spiropali said Albania remains committed to transatlantic security, including NATO’s goal of increasing defence spending to 5% of the GDP.

“Hosting the NATO Summit in Tirana in 2027 would be a significant step in strengthening the Alliance’s unity and cohesion,” she said.

Spiropali also met with Senator Gary Peters, founder and co-chair of the Albanian Issues Caucus, which focuses on issues of interest to the Albanian-American community.

Foreign Minister Spiropali described the caucus as a reliable and constructive partner in advancing bilateral relations across areas of shared interest.

As part of her visit to Washington, Spiropali has held a series of meetings in the U.S. Congress aimed at deepening cooperation between Albania and the United States.

Further meetings are under way at the U.S. Senate, while her agenda also includes talks with senior officials at the U.S. State Department and with executives of the Heritage Foundation.

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Spiropali held talks with Congressman Ritchie Torres, co-chair of the Albanian Caucus, and Congressman William R. Keating, the ranking Democrat on the Europe subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

She thanked the United States for its sustained focus on the region, stressing that Washington’s involvement remains critical at a time of ongoing political and security challenges.

Spiropali said Albania continues to play a constructive role in promoting regional stability, adding that long-term U.S. engagement is key to advancing democratic reforms across the Western Balkans.

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Rama arrived at the Europa Building, where he was received by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

As part of his agenda, Rama also held separate meetings with Costa and with the EU’s foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas.

Rama is due to take part in a plenary session on deepening cooperation and advancing gradual integration, including the “Roam Like at Home” initiative and the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

The session will be chaired by the European Council President António Costa, and attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

The summit brings together leaders from the Western Balkans and senior EU officials and aims at underlining the political and economic importance of relations between the bloc and the region, particularly against the backdrop of current geopolitical challenges and efforts to strengthen ties.

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