President Begaj’s Press Conference in Montenegro with President Milatović
“I am particularly pleased to be here in Montenegro, visiting a neighboring and friendly country to Albania. I wholeheartedly thank you for the invitation and the warm hospitality extended to me and my accompanying delegation.
Today, we had a successful meeting with fruitful discussions not only about the spirit of cooperation and agreement on bilateral cooperation issues but also within the framework of regional and European integration initiatives.
Today, together with the President, we discussed bilateral dialogue. Our two countries and peoples have much in common. We share not only our past and present as Balkan neighbors but also our European future and Euro-Atlantic values.
Albania highly values its traditionally excellent and friendly relations with Montenegro in both bilateral and regional dimensions. Our countries are in a new phase of strengthened relations, not only as friendly neighboring countries with connections between the Albanians of Montenegro and the Montenegrin community in Albania but also as NATO member states and countries vigorously negotiating to join the European Union. We also hold joint meetings between our governments and conduct consultations through joint commissions. This is a qualitative development, which I believe should be sustainable and long-term.
We agreed today to encourage our governments to initiate more joint projects, especially in the border areas. In these areas, the human potential, economic opportunities, and unique cultural heritage can be better explored and utilized.
Together with my friend, President Milatović, we believe it is crucial to plan joint visits to these areas. It is very important to have very good political relations, but even more crucial is to have economic cooperation to enhance the well-being of our peoples. It is very important for our countries, for the region, and for the European Union itself.
Tourism represents a significant area of cooperation between our two countries.
Increasing contacts between our governments, well-coordinated bilateral cooperation at the local level, and cooperation among tourism operators will boost the development of tourism and the economy of the border areas.
We already have positive examples. There is encouraging cooperation and coordination between the Plavë-Gucia area and Vermosh, but there are still untapped potentials that should also include other border areas in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo.
Road connectivity and joint tourism projects favor the development of these areas and will encourage young people not to abandon them.
The tourism and economic development of certain ecosystems, as mentioned by President Milatović, such as the Buna River, mountain areas, or Lake Shkodra, will serve for regional economic integration, better management of tourist flows, improved circulation of goods, and will directly affect the well-being of our citizens on both sides of the border.
Building the bridge that will connect Velipoja to Ulcinj is a project with a significant impact on border connectivity and tourism development. It will enable the creation of an economic, touristic, and social axis linking Shkodra, Lezha, and Ulcinj.
We also discussed security. As NATO member states, the friendly relations between our two countries set an example for our region.
We consider these relations important and specific in three dimensions: at the regional level, as NATO members, and in our aspirations for European Union membership.
I believe that Albania and Montenegro still have much to offer for regional peace, stability, and security.
Montenegro’s membership in NATO was a well-deserved achievement but also a contribution to European security. We also discussed the European Union.
Today I had the opportunity to congratulate President Milatović on Montenegro’s achievements in the EU integration process. We have often talked about this, and I am very familiar with President Milatović’s thoughts. Today, we reaffirmed that EU integration for Albania and Montenegro remains vitally and strategically important.
Albania remains committed to the membership process.
We have so far held two intergovernmental meetings and opened several chapters, hoping that by 2025 all negotiation chapters with the European Union will be opened. Likewise, we hope and believe that Albania, within this decade, will merit membership in the European Union.
Although membership takes time, the process is more important to us, transforming our society, governance, economy, and bringing direct benefits to all our citizens.
We also discussed the region. Today’s meeting emphasized that the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the region is the only way to ensure peace, stability, security, reconciliation, and sustainable development.
Any other approach would allow bilateral disputes, folkloric nationalisms, and the influence of third parties to gain more ground.
Albanians in the Western Balkans play a constructive and decisive role in the Euro-Atlantic future and in maintaining peace and social cohesion by respecting the constitutions and laws of the countries where they live.
The Albanian factor in Montenegro has played and plays a balancing and decisive role in the country’s Euro-Atlantic perspective.
We also talked about Kosovo. Kosovo had general elections yesterday, and I want to congratulate the Republic of Kosovo and its people for holding calm and regular elections.
I hope that the results will be announced soon and that a new government will be formed.
Kosovo should continue with great energy and dynamism the process of full international confirmation, integration into regional and international organizations, advancement of its request for EU membership, institutional cooperation with NATO with the aim of its membership, and strengthening of democracy and sustainable economic development.
Albania has supported and will always support this agenda of Kosovo.
I thank Montenegro for the support provided and the commitment to the Republic of Kosovo for support in the future.
Montenegro for Albania is a friendly country, today in NATO, tomorrow in the European Union, but this brings the obligation to cooperate together for the good of our countries and the prosperity of our peoples. I hope very much that my visit today will contribute to strengthening this cooperation.