President Begaj Meets with Austrian Ambassadors Serving in the Balkan States
President of the Republic, Mr. Bajram Begaj, today welcomed Austrian ambassadors serving in the Balkan states, along with representatives from the leadership of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting focused on Albanian-Austrian relations, Albania’s cooperation with regional countries, and the Western Balkans’ integration into the European Union.
President Begaj used this meeting to express his gratitude for the support that Austria has provided to Albania during crucial moments in its history, including assistance with the EU accession process.
Speaking about good neighborhood relations in the region, President Begaj highlighted Austria’s role in strengthening dialogue through the establishment of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group. He also pointed out Albania’s priorities in maintaining and developing cooperation among regional states, the contribution of the Albanian factor to political stability, peace, security, and economic development. “Albanians in the region,” stated the President, “have always been and will always be pro-Euro-Atlantic integrations, and I am proud that their pro-Euro-Atlantic spirit has never wavered. As recent surveys show, Albanians in the region are the most loyal to Euro-Atlantic values.”
In his conversation with the Austrian ambassadors, the President mentioned that third-party actors in the region aim to hinder the Western Balkans’ Euro-Atlantic future through cyberattacks, misinformation and disinformation, and soft power tactics. He expressed that “Albania is firm in its stance against them, and the peoples of the Balkans have a historic opportunity in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration that they should seize to benefit their future and enhance the lives of their citizens.”
“A secure and politically stable region that discusses and dialogues with each other, that develops proper economic links within itself, with the European Union, and the rest of the world, serves the national interests of Albania and is also in the interest of the Western Balkans,” stated the President during the meeting.
He added that regional initiatives also play a stabilizing role, through which Balkan states are committed to achieving full Euro-Atlantic integration as the only way to ensure security, stability, and development.