Prime Minister Rama,

Prime Minister Mustafa,

Dear Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Just over a year has passed from our meeting in Prizren, in which a joint statement on a strategic partnership between Albania and Kosovo was signed, making this an important and historic milestone for us and the entire region.

The objectives remain unchanged: taking full advantage of our potentials, deepening our strategic cooperation and accelerating our European integration process.

Our enterprising policies have created a dynamic relationship. Today, thanks to our strategic cooperation, we possess matching governing policy development instruments, with an immediate impact in the lives of our citizens from both countries.

From the experience gained in the Prizren meeting, today’s meeting in Tirana banishes any sceptic voices that questioned the sustainability and value added from this indisputable partnership that goes beyond parties and political circumstances.

During this year, we have been protagonists of important developments. As underlined by Prime Minister Rama, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, culture and tourism are areas where we are trying to create the conditions for productive interaction and harmonious interdependence.

The main focus of our work remains economic development, because it is still very far from targets that we have set. Hence, the “Protocol for the promotion and facilitation of trade” that will be signed today will gradually enable the creation of a unique commercial area without barriers.

In terms of our foreign policy, joining the European family and an anchoring in the Euro-Atlantic alliance remain our top priorities.

Albania as a NATO member and a European Union candidate country will continue to support Kosovo to enable the successful conclusion of the SAA; implementation of the free movement for its citizens in the Schengen area like the rest of the citizens from the region; and institutionalising its relations with NATO.

Albania will continue to play an active role in the process of international recognition of Kosovo and its presence with full rights in all regional platforms. Avenues for further recognition and new memberships will help put Kosovo in its rightful and deserved place in international institutions.

As mentioned by Prime Minister Rama, Europe has to face the crisis that has developed in the south and the east, which challenges the security and balance of the continent. These developments have increased the geopolitical weight of the Western Balkans. In this context, bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security is vital.

From a security standpoint, coordination and interaction on combating terrorism and organized crime will help us to contribute towards consolidating and strengthening a safer more peaceful region.

Dear guests,

Thanks to the Berlin Process, The Western Balkans is already participating in the shaping of EU policies towards interconnecting and further developing our region.

The conference in Vienna, which follows that of Berlin, is a good omen in transforming the Western Balkans in view of its economy, infrastructure, energy and human resources.

New projects that should be promoted in the coming months are in road, rail, Kosovo’s inclusion in the TAP-IAP network and in a complete electrical grid between our countries with the main aim of developing and promoting the creation of new jobs and interconnecting our region.

In this context, Albania and Kosovo have shown that they can be influential actors in the region by coordinating their political activities, with an effort to reduce the economic and social gap that still divides the Western Balkans with the European Union.

Honourable guests,

Today’s meeting between our two governments will be followed by the signing of a number of agreements, but more important than the number of agreements signed, is the strong message we convey and the quality in the implementation of those commitments.

We must be aware that this trait and spirit is echoed wherever Albanians live in the region. This is echoed by the large number of compatriots from the Diaspora, who are eager for us to give them the attention they crave and their right to become part of the success that can be achieved together.

I thank you for your attention and best of luck in today’s meeting.