Peleshi met Tomio Okamura, speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Miloš Vystrčil, president of the Czech Senate, as part of a parliamentary diplomacy tour of EU partner countries.

The meetings highlighted strong bilateral relations, underpinned by traditional friendship, continued political dialogue and shared European values. Both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation, particularly through closer parliamentary ties and exchanges between institutions, as well as stronger links in the economy, tourism and education.

Peleshi welcomed the Czech Republic’s continued support for Albania’s EU accession and its backing for a merit-based enlargement process, stressing that political support from member states was particularly important at this critical stage of negotiations.

He said Albania remains committed to implementing the necessary reforms and achieving its strategic goal of EU membership.

The talks also addressed the European prospects of the Western Balkans and the role of the Visegrad Group countries in supporting the region’s integration. Both sides stressed the importance of parliamentary coordination in keeping EU enlargement high on Europe’s political agenda.

On bilateral parliamentary cooperation, Peleshi called for more frequent contacts between parliamentary leaders, committees and friendship groups. He welcomed the resumption of activities by the Czech-Albanian Friendship Group in the Chamber of Deputies and expressed interest in expanding exchanges, particularly between committees dealing with European affairs and foreign policy.

The two sides also highlighted opportunities to share institutional expertise and best practices, and to strengthen links between citizens and local communities.

They reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation, underlining the role of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

A more integrated and cooperative Western Balkans, they said, was in the common interest of the region and essential to a more united and secure Europe.

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The delegation was led by Austrian MEP Sophia Kircher, a TRAN vice-chair, and included European Parliament members and transport policy experts. Marian-Jean Marinescu, European Coordinator for the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean (WBEM) corridor, also took part.

Discussions focused on maritime transport developments, port infrastructure modernisation, regional cooperation and Albania’s integration into strategic European transport networks.

Particular attention was given to the WBEM corridor, part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which aims to improve road, rail and maritime connections, increase transport efficiency and facilitate the movement of goods and passengers between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

Participants highlighted Durres Port’s strategic role as a maritime hub along the corridor, as well as planned investments to modernise infrastructure, expand port capacity and strengthen multimodal connections.

The proposed new integrated commercial port at Porto Romano, near Durres, was also discussed. The project aims to increase cargo-handling capacity, improve road and rail links and strengthen Albania’s role as a gateway between regional and European markets.

The visit comes as Albania advances its EU integration process, with alignment with EU legislation and standards, sustainable infrastructure development and stronger regional connectivity among its key priorities.

The Durres Port Authority said the visit would strengthen institutional dialogue with European partners and reaffirm the strategic importance of Albania’s port infrastructure within the WBEM corridor and the wider TEN-T network.

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During the meeting, Nufi emphasized that, “Albania and Türkiye have a consolidated partnership, underpinned by strong historical and human ties, shared NATO membership and enduring cooperation in the fields of defense and security.”

He expressed Albania’s appreciation for Türkiye’s long-standing contribution to the modernization of the Albanian Armed Forces, highlighting the importance of increasingly practical cooperation.

“For over two decades, Türkiye has hosted Albanian cadets, officers, and non-commissioned officers for academy education and specialized training. This enduring program remains a cornerstone of the bilateral defense relationship. Moving forward, cooperation will continue to prioritize modernizing the Albanian Armed Forces, expanding institutional capacity, and strengthening NATO-aligned interoperability,” Nufi stated during the meeting.

The discussion also focused on expanding cooperation with Turkish companies through investments in Albania and joint ventures.

“Albania aims to adopt new technologies and build local expertise, unlocking fresh growth for its defense sector,” Nufi said.

Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi also noted that Albania values ​​Türkiye’s contribution to KFOR and its support for the Albanian contingent in EUFOR ALTHEA, as both nations remain committed to Euro-Atlantic security and stability. The two defense ministers shared the conviction that our countries must intensify efforts to strengthen defense cooperation, moving towards a more structured program of practical collaboration featuring concrete projects and measurable results.

Minister Nufi’s visit to Ankara aims to add a new dimension to the strategic partnership with Türkiye, increasingly orienting it toward concrete projects, capabilities and results that serve the interests of both nations and their shared security. /p.s./

In a social media post, Ambassador Moreira de Sousa thanked President Von der Leyen for her visit to Albania, as well as the Albanian authorities for their warm welcome.

“The goal is in sight,” said President Von der Leyen, and Albania is among the frontrunners in the accession process. This is the result of years of hard work by the Albanians,” she stated.

The ambassador emphasized that the final phase of the process requires continued work in several areas.

“Now the last stretch is the most demanding one: strengthening justice and the rule of law, the electoral framework and the protection of Albania’s extraordinary nature,” Moreira de Sousa said.

She also underscored the importance of the engagement of political actors and dialogue with society. “As the President put it, this requires genuine engagement across political lines and a strong, continued dialogue with society,” the ambassador said.

Moreira de Sousa also highlighted her visit to the “Emin Duraku” school, describing it as the moment she will keep.

“Through EU4Schools, 63 schools have been rebuilt or renovated after the 2019 earthquake, and the children learning in them today are the reason this work matters,” she said.

The EU Ambassador underscored the importance that Albania’s accession would hold for the European Union itself.

“When Albania joins, it will make our Union stronger too,” concluded Sofia Moreira de Sousa. /e.i/a.f/r.e/p.s./

According to the official announcement from the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen will visit Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Her engagements will focus on the next steps needed for advancing on our partners’ EU path and ongoing process of gradual integration, assisted by the EU’s €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

President von der Leyen will begin the annual tour in Tirana on Wednesday, where she will hold talks with President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama. She will also visit EU-funded projects, including the “Emin Duraku” school in Tirana, which was rebuilt following damage caused by the 2019 earthquake.

On Thursday, President von der Leyen will travel to Pristina, where she will meet with the Acting President Albulena Haxhiu and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Later on the day, the President will meet in Podgorica with President Jakov Milatović and Prime Minister Milojko Spajić.

She will visit the new building of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in Prishtina, as well as Railway Corridor VIII in North Macedonia. The visit will conclude on Friday in Skopje, where President von der Leyen will hold meetings with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.

In Podgorica, she will attend the inauguration of the National Coordination Centre, a new operational hub aimed at strengthening Montenegro’s border management and enabling better information exchange with EU member states and Frontex. /p.s./

Accompanying the prime minister on this visit will be his wife Linda Rama and the official Albanian delegation.

PM Rama will attend the opening of the UN General Assembly’s General Debate in New York and deliver an address to the assembly.

The agenda also carries PM Rama’s participation in official receptions, high-level events and meetings with representatives from the political and economic spheres, as well as international organizations.

PM Rama will also hold meetings with representatives of the Albanian diaspora in the United States. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Berisha stated that the talks focused on the political situation in Albania, the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, as well as developments regarding the justice system and elections.

He praised President Donald Trump’s speeches at the convention, declaring that his stance against communism and drug cartels serves as an endorsement of the groups confronting these threats.

Berisha also thanked the Albanian diaspora in the US for their welcome and support, noting their willingness to contribute to the opposition’s efforts.

The DP leader stated that one of the main topics of discussion was what he described as a “narco-state.” According to Berisha, this situation has consequences for the economy, democracy, public order and citizens’ rights. “There are two fundamental issues we focused on during our meetings. The first is the fact that this is the only narco-state in Europe, with devastating effects on the economy, democracy, public order and the rights of Albanian citizens. We also addressed the consequences of this—namely, the erosion of electoral integrity and Edi Rama’s consolidation of power over the judiciary, which is increasingly being weaponized for political purposes,” said Berisha.

According to Berisha, the most important message from U.S. partners concerns the defense of shared values.

“The most important message from our partners is upholding of our shared values, as well as the further promotion of friendly cooperation and partnership with the U.S. Frankly speaking, no country in the world can successfully combat drug trafficking without their support. No country in the world can successfully fight terrorism without their support. Yet, President Donald Trump has designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and this is of immense—truly immense significance,” he said. /p.s./

The department is one of the historic centres of Albanian studies and is the oldest university department dedicated to the Albanian language. It was founded by Jeronim De Rada and Arbëresh intellectuals.

The department has played an important role in preserving and promoting Albanian language, literature and culture.

During a meeting with university academics, the government head highlighted the importance of the department’s longstanding tradition and called for closer cooperation and the creation of a more structured network to support the preservation, promotion and further development of Albanian studies and cultural heritage.

“We should create some kind of network here at the university, with the idea that we can then provide more structured support and also use it to better preserve and make use of everything produced here,” Rama said.

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro also attended the visit.

PM Rama is visiting Naples to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania.

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This was the first visit by a President of the Republic of Albania to the United Arab Emirates, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to further strengthening the Albania-UAE partnership with a forward-looking perspective.

The President of the Republic was received by the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the meeting, President Begaj thanked the United Arab Emirates for the solidarity and friendship shown to Albania and the Albanian people during difficult times—particularly during the war in Kosovo, following the 2019 earthquake and after the 2022 cyberattack.

The meeting reflected a shared will to further advance the agenda of strong and enduring cooperation between the two nations, as well as to harness real potential for expanding ties in areas of mutual interest.

President Begaj emphasized that political, economic, and people-to-people ties between Albania and the United Arab Emirates would be further strengthened, particularly with the opening of the UAE Embassy in Tirana. Economic cooperation and investments were among the key pillars of the discussions. Welcoming the strengthening of this partnership, President Begaj advocated for the expansion of bilateral investments and for greater engagement by Emirati investors in Albania—particularly in infrastructure, energy, innovation, tourism and other strategic sectors.

The presidents of the two countries also discussed multilateral cooperation and international challenges, noting that Albania and the United Arab Emirates share common priorities regarding peace, security and development.

During his visit to the United Arab Emirates, President Begaj also held meetings with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, as well as with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Chairman of the Presidential Court. /p.s./

Before his departure, Berisha called his trip to the U.S. a pivotal moment for Albania, expressing full confidence in continued American support for the nation and its people.

Berisha said that the USA will support Albania and its people in their push to break free from what he described as authoritarian rule.

“This is a historic milestone in Albania’s years-long journey. On a personal level, I am here to stand with my friends and say, ‘I have arrived.’ My presence today is proof that we all recognize how far Albania has come. I am incredibly pleased to depart for the United States today, carrying the exact same conviction I held back in March 1991.”

“The great country of freedom will support Albania and the Albanians in their effort to free themselves from the authoritarian dictatorship based on drugs, crime, and the theft of Albanians of Edi Rama, the narco-state regime”, he said. /m.q/p.s./