Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj had a meeting with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák in the framework of his official visit to Tirana. Minister Lajčák is visiting Albania in his capacity as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

The meeting between them focussed on cooperation in the framework of the OSCE, the preparations for the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship in 2020, the OSCE support for the reforms in the country, and the regional cooperation.

Acting Minister Cakaj expressed appreciation for the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship and its constructive role and efforts in addressing the challenges facing security and stability across the OSCE region presently. Likewise, he thanked Minister Lajčák, in his capacity as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, for his attention and commitment to our region.

Further on, Acting Minister Cakaj advised his counterpart of the preparations for the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship in 2020, thus confirming the willpower and commitment of the Government of Albania to successfully deliver the task of Chairmanship.

On his part, the present OSCE Chairperson Lajčák congratulated Acting Minister Cakaj on his commitment to prepare Albania for chairing the Organisation in 2020, and leading the Mediterranean Contact Group in 2019.

Additionally, as well as acknowledging Albania’s constructive role in the region, Minister Lajčák underlined that the OSCE Chairmanship will help raise the country’s profile in the international arena, thus setting an example for the new democracies.

During the meeting, both conversational partners recognised the OSCE’s support for and contribution to the accomplishment of important reforms in the country, and the meeting of the five key priorities, in the framework of the opening of membership talks with the EU.

Then both Ministers exchanged views on the cooperation between and joint commitment of the countries as part of the OSCE Troika. They also dwelt on the strengthening of the OSCE’s role and capacities, as well as on the contribution to help improve cooperation among the OSCE countries, and the need to ensure dialogue and responsibility among its members for the purpose of adhering to the Organisation’s principles and unity, being essential elements instrumental in effectively addressing current and future challenges in the OSCE area, and at large.