Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, met today with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Peter Stenlund.

At the meeting, Minister Bushati acknowledged Stenlund with the country’s progress in the field of reforms and in addressing five key priorities. He focused on judicial reform and implementation of the Vetting process, as well as expectations regarding decision-making on opening accession negotiations with the European Union this year.

Secretary of State Stenlund highlighted Finland’s supporting role for the enlargement process and Albania’s efforts in this context. In the framework of Finland’s preparations for the Finnish Presidency of the EU Council in 2019, Secretary of State Stenlund stressed the importance of backing a clear European perspective for the region and Albania.

Focusing on the challenges that the European Union is facing, Stenlund underlined that EU membership is linked has not only with preparation of the countries, but also with the communication among member states on this purpose. Underscoring that the assessment will be based on merit, Minister Bushati and Secretary of State Stenlund shared the view on the need to promote the political spirit of the enlargement process.

Minister Bushati praised the European Commission’s Enlargement Strategy, but at the same time he stressed the importance of enriching it with the necessary mechanisms, including those financial so that the countries of the region prepare adequately for membership and differences between them and the countries of Eastern Europe which are already EU members narrow.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on the security situation in the respective regions, challenges they are facibg and the coordination of efforts.