Strategic communication regarding the enlargement of the European Union and the fight against disinformation were the two main topics of this Conference with the participation of senior representatives of the CEI, the OSCE, heads of news agencies from 12 countries, members of ABNA-SE, among whom was the Director General of ATA Valbona Zhupa, representatives from international media organizations, senior officials of the local government in Trieste, etc.

In a statement to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) from Trieste, Minister Hoxha focused on regional and global hurdles during these volatile times.

“We all take into account the times we live in, not only the geopolitical challenges, but above all what is one of the characteristics that everyone agrees on: the unpredictability of the times in which we live, on the regional level, on the European level and of course on the global level”, he said.

Hoxha added that this situation makes it even more important to build a closer relationship with the European Union, membership in which remains an objective defined by Albanians since the advent of democracy.

“This makes us even more responsible to build a closer relationship with those we want to join, which is the objective of a nation, which is the objective that Albanians have set since the first days of the democratic dawn, to become members of the European Union”, said the minister.

Hoxha stressed that participation in conferences where the Balkans, Albania and the European enlargement process are discussed is important to convey the country’s position and vision.

“Wherever our region is discussed, where the Balkans are discussed, where Albania is discussed and where enlargement is discussed, we must be present, have our say, state our approach and, above all, do what is extremely important today, also in terms of communication”, he said.

The minister praised the conference as an important forum to convey Albania’s narrative, arguments and vision, as well as to update the country’s image in the international arena.

In this context, the Albanian chief diplomat also focused on the challenges related to accurate information, the relationship with the fact and the truth, bringing to attention the phenomenon of “Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference” (FIMI), or the manipulation and interference of information from abroad.

“It is related to one of the biggest challenges to accurate information, the relationship with the fact, the relationship with the truth”, said Hoxha, also recalling the conference held by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs at the end of July on this phenomenon.

According to him, under present-day circumstances it is important for society to return to the fundamental questions on the source and processing of information.

“It is extremely important to return as much as possible to what is essential: where we get information, how we process information, where we get information about the truth and how to separate truth from falsehoods”, the minister stated.

In this regard, Hoxha praised the role of news agencies, describing them as the basis and foundation of information, due to their role in conveying verified information.

“News agencies are the basis, the foundation of information”, said Hoxha, while praising the work of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

“I want to highlight the invaluable role of the people who build our informational foundation, those who, despite the changing times, have not changed their approach, their method, nor their work, nor the columns on which their work is based: the news agencies. And I am very happy to be with ATA at this special moment, both to thank them for the work they do, and to encourage them not to change their approach, despite the difficulties, despite the challenges, despite the trends”, said the minister.

In conclusion, Hoxha emphasized that truth and accurate information are fundamental for the progress of society and for making the right decisions.

“If we do not build the present and the future on the truth, we will not win our war and we cannot advance. People will only follow if they have the facts to decide right, the society will not follow us without being well-informed, without having the right and accurate elements to make the right decisions”, concluded Hoxha. /gj.m/r.e/ /a.g/p.s./