President Begaj Receives High State Honors in Podgorica from Counterpart Jakov Milatović
President Bajram Begaj of Albania, who is on an official visit to Montenegro, was received today with high state honors in Podgorica by his counterpart, President Jakov Milatović.
The leaders of the two states held a one-on-one meeting followed by discussions with their respective delegations.
The conversations focused on bilateral dialogue and relations, the shared Euro-Atlantic path, regional situations, challenges from third-party factors, as well as the Albanian population in Montenegro and the Montenegrin minority in Albania.
The meeting reaffirmed the excellent and friendly relations between Albania and Montenegro as neighboring NATO member states intensively negotiating with the European Union, with a special emphasis on strengthening political and economic cooperation.
In a joint press conference with President Milatović, President Begaj announced joint initiatives: “Today we agreed to encourage our governments to undertake more joint projects, especially in the border areas where human potential, economic opportunities, and unique cultural heritage can be better explored and utilized. Together with my friend, President Milatović, we believe that planning joint visits to these areas is crucial.
Having very good political relations is important, but having economic cooperation to enhance the well-being of our peoples is even more critical for our countries, the region, and the European Union itself.”
President Begaj highlighted the tourism sector as a vital part of this cooperation, emphasizing the need for well-coordinated bilateral cooperation to boost the development of border areas.
Referring to the cooperation between the Plavë-Gucia area and Vermosh, President Begaj stated that it is essential to advance with such positive projects that bring prosperity to the people and opportunities for the youth: “However, there is still untapped potential that should also include other border areas in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Road connectivity and joint tourism projects will promote the development of these areas and encourage young people not to leave them. The construction of a bridge connecting 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.”
Such cooperation should include all countries in the region, as assessed by the President, who stressed that regional cooperation should be constructive, dynamic, and proactive, with a clear orientation, despite challenges: “The Euro-Atlantic perspective is the only perspective that will guarantee peace, stability, security, reconciliation, and sustainable development. Any other approach would allow bilateral disputes, folkloric nationalisms, and influences of third parties to gain more ground. The Albanian factor plays an important role in this direction,” emphasized the President, who reaffirmed the commitment to full European Union membership: “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 EU membership. Although membership takes time, the process is more important to us, transforming our society, governance, economy, and bringing direct benefits to all our citizens.”
During the joint press conference, President Begaj expressed ongoing support from Montenegro for Kosovo’s efforts towards regional and international integration.
“Kosovo should continue with great energy and dynamism its 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 development,” stated the President, who called on political leaders in Pristina to quickly form a new government to achieve these objectives. The President congratulated the people of Kosovo for conducting calm and orderly elections.
