News

On 7-8 October, the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius paid a visit to Tirana and met with the President of Albania Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati, and Minister of European Integration Klajda Gjosha to discuss Albania’s relations with the EU as well as important issues related to the Western Balkans.

Titus Corlăţean, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Romanian Presidency of the South-East European Cooperation Process, accompanied the Lithuanian Foreign Minister to Tirana.

“Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council actively works to ensure the consistency and sustainability of the EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. We support Albania’s European integration. We see and appreciate your progress in the implementation of criteria set by the EU. This year, Albania has faced a number of challenges but was able to overcome them. I believe that the EU institutions and Member States will assess these achievements appropriately at the end of the year,” L.Linkevičius said.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister complimented good organization of the parliamentary elections that were held in Albania on 23 June and a strong commitment of Albania’s new Government to continue the country’s European integration, also called on Albania to approve the consolidation of the country’s political forces because it was necessary for further smooth implementation of reforms.

L.Linkevičius emphasized that Lithuania was ready to further share its expert experience of European integration and thus contribute to Albania’s preparations to join the EU.