Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, organised by Italian news agency ANSA during the 34th General Assembly of the Association of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE), Hoxha said enlargement was now at the heart of the EU’s policy agenda.

He recalled the EU’s 2003 Thessaloniki pledge that the Western Balkans would become part of the European project, saying the region had waited more than two decades for that commitment to be fulfilled.

Hoxha said Albania welcomed the renewed momentum behind enlargement, citing EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos’s view that the process was no longer simply about adding new member states but about creating a stronger and safer European Union.

He said Albania’s goal of completing negotiations by 2027 was supported by efforts to address issues highlighted in European Commission and European Parliament assessments, including political polarisation, the rule of law, organised crime and corruption.

“We know that we still have things to do. The negotiation process is the bridge between where we are and where we want to go,” Hoxha said.

He also stressed the broader benefits of successive rounds of EU enlargement, saying each had made the bloc larger, stronger, safer and more prosperous.

On Kosovo, Hoxha said Albania regarded it as an independent state that should be recognised, while acknowledging fundamental differences with Serbia over the issue.

He nevertheless described Albania’s relations with Serbia as pragmatic and said the two countries should explore opportunities for cooperation as neighbours. He also highlighted regional cooperation as an important part of Albania’s European integration agenda.

Hoxha criticised Serbia’s glorification of former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic, who was convicted of genocide and war crimes, saying such actions were offensive to victims and undermined reconciliation.

On Russia’s war in Ukraine, Hoxha said Albania considered Russia the aggressor and supported sanctions and efforts to help Ukraine defend itself. He said support for Ukraine was also about protecting Europe.

The conference focused on strategic communication around EU enlargement and combating disinformation, bringing together senior representatives of the Central European Initiative, the OSCE, international media organisations and news agencies from 12 ABNA-SE member countries, including Director General of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Valbona Zhupa, international media representatives and local government officials in Trieste.

The event was held in cooperation with the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and the Central European Initiative.

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