President Begaj meets with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen
‘The new level of Albania’s relations with the EU after the opening of negotiations and the determination of my country to accelerate the pace of European integration, make your visit to Tirana special and important’, emphasized the President of the Republic of Albania, H.E.Mr. Bajram Begaj, in the meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is visiting Albania as part of a regional tour in the Western Balkans.
This visit, continued the President of the Republic, not only confirms the very good cooperation that exists between us, but is also a message of encouragement and great support for Albania in these moments of threats and challenges for the peace and security of the Western Balkan region.
From her side, Mrs. Ursula von der Leyen, after expressing her pleasure to meet with President Begaj only a few months after he was elected to the High Office, evaluated the role of Albania as an important factor of stability in the region and highlighted the important progress that Albania is making on its way to European integration.
The President of the Republic of Albania assured the President of the European Commission, that Albania is determined to continue with the European agenda and that its objective for EU integration is unchanged. The Progress Report for Albania is an unbiased guide and urges all Albanian institutions to act in a responsible, transparent and comprehensive manner.
Furthermore, focusing on concrete cooperation projects, the Head of State underlined that significant investments in key sectors of the economy, such as infrastructure and energy guarantee a sustainable development of Albania and the region, helping to achieve the standards for full membership in the Union European.
The package of energy support and investments in infrastructure, supported by the European Commission, paves the way for a better connection between Albania and the countries of the region and brings it closer to the best standards of the EU. Albania is committed to the fundamental values of the EU and integration into the European family is its greatest strategic objective.
President Begaj praised the EU’s latest commitment to co-finance the rehabilitation project of Vorë-Hani i Hotit railway line, which is of great importance for Albania’s connection with the European railway network.
President Begaj underlined the necessity of maintaining the attention of the EU and its member countries towards the Western Balkans region, appreciating the latest decision taken by the President of the European Council for the upcoming high-level meeting EU-Western Balkan in Tirana.
President Begaj also welcomed the assessment of the European Commission and Mrs. Von der Leyen, that Kosovo has fulfilled all the criteria required for the visa liberalization regarding its citizens and considered the realization of this commitment as soon as possible by the EU, as another important step for the stability and development of the Western Balkan region.