Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj had a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, in the MEFA premises.

In the joint press conference succeeding the meeting, Acting Minister Cakaj stated that his Hungarian counterpart has had a round of productive meetings, resulting in the conclusion of a number of bilateral agreements, and further advance of the strategic cooperation.

In his speech, Acting Minister Cakaj dwelt particularly on Hungary’s important role as one of the strongest supporters of the opening of negotiations for Albania, highlighting especially its political support, as well as on the Hungarian Minister’s specific contribution in the Council’s recent meeting concerning facilitation of the start of negotiations for Albania.

Acting Minister Cakaj expressed thanks for Hungary; however, he said, assistance by Albania’s friends must be accompanied by internal political efforts, willpower, and actions, which do not hamper, but are instrumental in opening the negotiations.

In the view of Acting Minister Cakaj, regardless of the postponement, the Council’s decision about Albania is especially valid as it makes a positive evaluation of the Commission’s report about the launch of negotiations, and Albania and North Macedonia are treated on equal footing, and the strategic error to separate and treat Albania and North Macedonia in a differentiated manner is avoided.

According to Acting Minister Cakaj, robustness of Albania’s democratic institutions will first be put to the test on 30 June, when a democratic electoral process must be conducted.

He stated that what is required to happen in Albania is not to take steps backward to serve partisan interests, but to demonstrate commitment in the national interest.

Dwelling on the 30 June elections, Acting Minister said that, ‘The country’s European agenda must take priority over whatsoever political calculation.’

On his part, the Hungarian Minister confirmed support to the opening of negotiations for Albania.

‘We recognise all and everything that Albania has done so far to advance European integration.’ He considered postponement of the decision to be ridiculous and pointless, and underscored that Hungary will constantly support Albania’s efforts to join the EU.