Hoxha said Albania’s 2026 defence budget marked the country’s most ambitious investment in defence since joining NATO, contributing to stronger national capabilities and collective security.

“Our 2026 defence budget represents the most ambitious level of investment since Albania joined the Alliance, contributing to stronger national capabilities and collective security,” Foreign Minister said.

He also reiterated Albania’s support for Ukraine, describing it as a cornerstone of European security, and pledged continued assistance through NATO mechanisms.

Hoxha told allies that on June 12 he will co-host in Tirana, alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Ministerial Meeting, which he described as an important platform for reaffirming a shared commitment to peace, security and stability in Europe.

In a post on X following the meeting on Friday, Hoxha stressed the importance of adopting a “360-degree approach” to security and maintaining a strong focus on stability in the Middle East and the Western Balkans.

“Albania remains fully committed to supporting regional stability, including allied discussions on the future of KFOR and NATO cooperation with Kosovo,” he said.

Hoxha described the prospect of a future NATO summit in Tirana as a historic moment for the region and a strong signal of the Alliance’s long-term commitment to the Western Balkans.

“As we move toward the NATO summit in Ankara in July 2026, I underlined the importance and significance of holding a future NATO summit in Tirana, which would represent a historic moment for the region and a strong signal of the Alliance’s enduring commitment to the Western Balkans,” Hoxha said.

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President Zelenskyy expressed appreciation to PM Rama for his personal and Albania’s military, humanitarian and political support for Ukraine.

“Thank you very much for hosting this summit and for welcoming us. It is the second time we meet in such a format, previously in Athens and now here in the welcoming Tirana. Prime Minister Edi, I appreciate your hospitality and the opportunity you are granting us to talk together how to strengthen our countries region and the whole Europe, because now everyone realizes that the path Europe will follow for future generations is being determined and we all want Europe to be the space where every nation, every country determines its own destiny. We have seen in the past how certain people who have tried to determine the destiny of other nations; this has happened in the Balkans, in Eastern Europe and in all parts of Europe,” Zelenskyy stated.

Ukrainian leader underlined that “Putin is seeking to do exactly that.”

“His hostility and everything he does or tries to do is to force other nations to do what he says. So it’s an attempt by the old dictates to decide what the nations should do and what they should agree upon,” Zelensky said.

“Our vision for Europe in all its regions is based on the principle of equal dignity for everyone. There should not be a Europe with different dignities in it, where one deserves more security and peace, while one has to suffer for peace and is ignored for the peace or where one deserves integration into various unions or alliances and someone else is left behind,” he stated.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine fully supports European and Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in the region.

“First of all, we believe that every state, every nation in Europe that adheres to the principles of the European and Euro-Atlantic community and wishes to become a member of these communities deserves full integration. Ukraine supports your countries on their integration path and is very grateful for the support you are giving us for our integration. The European Union and NATO have provided Europe with the longest and the most reliable era of security, peace and economic development,” Zelenskyy said.

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– Berlin Process Summit to take place for first time in Albania

– What is the Berlin Process?

– Man achievements of the Berlin Process

– What is the goal of the Berlin Process?

The Berlin Process Summit is set to take place for first time in Albania

Albania will host another major international event, the Summit of the Berlin Process leaders, set to take place for the first time outside of the European Union borders in Tirana with participation of the Western Balkan Six (WB6) leaders and their peers in Berlin Process host countries, as well as high-level representatives and international bodies of more than 25 countries, the EU institutions, international financial institutions and the region’s civil society, youth and businesses community. The President of France, German Chancellor and the European Commission President, as well as a number of prime ministers of the EU member states have confirmed their Summit attendance.

A meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process will take place on the sidelines of the Summit, bringing together the Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkan countries, and their counterparts from the Berlin Process participating countries, EU representatives and regional bodies.

What is the Berlin Process?

Berlin Process was initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on August 28, 2014 as a platform for high-level cooperation between high official representatives of the Western Balkan Six (WB6), consisting of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, and their peers in Berlin Process EU host countries, focusing primarily on improving regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and assisting countries in the region on the path towards integration into the European Union. The Process also involves the EU institutions, international financial institutions and the region’s civil society, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office RYCO and businesses.

The main goals of the Berlin Process include strengthening the political dialogue, regional stability, economic development and eventual membership of the Western Balkan countries in the EU.

Main milestone achievements of the Berlin Process are:

– Establishment of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO),

– WB6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF),

-Creation of the green lanes in the region and the green lanes between the WB and the EU member states,

-Regional Roaming Agreement (implementation started as of July 1, 2021)

-Agreement on lower data roaming prices between the Western Balkans and the European Union member states cutting (into effect on October 1,  2023),

– The three mobility agreements are important achievements of regional cooperation under the Berlin Process.

What is the goal of the Berlin Process?

Political Dialogue: The Berlin Process provides a platform for high-level political dialogue between the leaders of the Western Balkans and EU member states. It aims to address regional challenges and promote cooperation in areas such as security, rule of law and good governance.

Economic cooperation: The Berlin Process attaches particular importance to economic development. The Process aims to encourage and boost investments, infrastructure development, and regional economic integration between the WB countries in a bid to improve their economic outlook and mitigate their integration into the EU single market.

Infrastructure projects and connectivity initiatives are a central component of the Berlin Process. This includes improving transport and energy links in the region and with the EU with the aim of increasing economic cooperation and regional stability.

The Berlin Process puts emphasis on the importance of strengthening the rule of law, democratic institutions and reconciliation efforts in the Western Balkans. These efforts are essential to the region’s long-term stability and progress.

EU membership: After all, supporting the Western Balkan countries on their path towards EU membership is one of the long-term objectives of the Berlin Process. The Process provides a framework to deliver on the reforms and criteria required to join the EU.

The Berlin Process includes regular summits and meetings of high-level leaders and representatives from Western Balkans, as well as EU member states and other parties to discuss progress and future initiatives.

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