President Begaj Welcomes Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Ivan Anušić
President Bajram Begaj hosted a meeting today with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Croatia, Ivan Anušić.
The focus of the meeting was on Albania-Croatia relations, cooperation in defense, economy, and the situation in the Western Balkans.
President Begaj praised the strategic partnership between the two NATO ally countries and the excellent relations which, he stated, are at this level due to shared foreign policy priorities and a common vision for the future of the Western Balkans.
Albania and Croatia share a long-term strategic partnership within NATO.
The President welcomed the signing of the joint declaration between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo, which, in his opinion, materializes a proven cooperation over the years.
Faced with dynamic and complex geopolitical developments that affect not only the Euro-Atlantic area but also the Western Balkan region, President Begaj emphasized that the issue of stability is a commitment that must be pursued through trust, dialogue, and cooperation.
President Begaj remarked that the full inclusion of the Western Balkans in Euro-Atlantic organizations ensures sustainable stability and development policies for the countries of the region and their citizens.
Croatia has consistently supported the Albanians in Albania’s European integration process and in ensuring peace and security in Kosovo through its substantial contributions to KFOR, for which President Begaj expressed his gratitude to the Croatian government’s second-in-command, Mr. Ivan Anušić.
Furthermore, it was noted that the strong ties between Albania and Croatia remain crucial not only in addressing common security challenges but also in advancing shared goals across various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, defense, economy, agriculture, science, tourism, and environmental protection.