Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, paid an official visit to France, during which he held several meetings focusing on European integration and strengthening of bilateral relations.Minister Bushati met the Minister of European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, as part of his visit in France. Discussions focused on a range of issues such as European integration, intensification of bilateral relations, deepening of economic cooperation, the role of France and the challenges the EU is facing.

Minister Bushati praised the European Commission’s report and stressed that the clear recommendation of the European Commission is the recognition of the progress Albania made in addressing the five key priorities. He informed the Minister of our expectations for Council’s decision in June and emphasized that the decision to open negotiations would be a further boost to the implementation of the undertaken reforms, including justice reform.

The head of the Albanian diplomacy praised France’s support in the European integration process, the French assistance provided to enhance capacity building of public administration, and congratulated the French government’s decision to launch the activity of the French Development Agency  in our country, the first country in the Balkan region.

Minister Loiseau said that France is paying close attention to the developments in Albania and the Region and praised the progress made by the Albanian government in addressing the 5 key priorities, highlighting the necessity to continue and deepen the implementation of reforms as well as the cooperation in addressing common challenges. During his visit to France, Minister Bushati will also have meetings with the Head of the Foreign Policy Committee at the Parliamentary Assembly, Marielle de Sarnez, as well as senior officials of President Macron and the Prime Minister of the Republic of France cabinet.