In her welcoming speech, Minister Olta Xhaçka said that Albania is grateful to the Czech Republic and Slovakia for their proactive role in advocating and accelerating our journey to the EU.

Albania views the Czech Republic and Slovakia as two “strong advocates” of our journey to the EU. Their voices, as part of the Visegrad Group, have been very important in terms of advancement of Albania’s European agenda. We therefore welcome the continuation of our close and constructive cooperation, especially during the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU, in the second half of this year, to advance our efforts for closer and faster integration of Albania with the EU, ” said Minister Xhaçka.

For his part, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Karel Urban, expressed the unwavering support of the Czech Republic for the European integration processes of Albania.

“I hope that the first Intergovernmental Conference will be held in June. I am confident that the Czech Presidency will do its utmost to continue and push the process forward, especially in the aftermath of the sad developments in Ukraine,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Slovakia, Peter Spišiak stressed that Albania-Slovakia relations are based on common values and priorities that will lead the two countries to work together in the coming years.

“Our mutual cooperation continues even during Albania’s term as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. “Slovakia has always been a strong promoter of EU enlargement and a strong supporter of Albania on its pathway to the EU,” he said.

Diplomatic relations between Albania and Czechoslovakia were established in 1922, when as a member of the League of Nations, Albania sought to increase the number of its allies and partners, both in terms of diplomatic and economic ties. On January 1, 1993, Albania recognized the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic as two independent countries and established diplomatic relations with each of them.
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