The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, said at the Balkan Forum in Budapest that the region sees positive signals from the EU in terms of the integration process and that is expected that within 2023 our country will be able to hold the Second Intergovernmental Conference.

“We see a change in the EU’s approach to the region, especially after the illegal Russian aggression in Ukraine. Now the EU has a more strategic approach to the Western Balkans, and the prospect of European integration is credible. Holding the EU-BP Summit in Tirana was a strong message of support for the region, but also of the EU’s commitment to the European integration of the Western Balkans”, she said.

During the discussion, Minister Xhaçka also focused on the role played in the UNSC by Albania in regards to the war in Ukraine.

“Our country has a clear and courageous position in the Security Council, denouncing aggression and working diplomatically with allies to isolate Russia. This position is in line not only with our allies, but also with our national interest, as we believe that an international system based on rules, with the UN Charter as its main pillar, is crucial for the security of countries like Albania. I don’t know what more the UN can do to achieve peace in Ukraine, but I can say that peace must be achieved with the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” said the Minister.

The Budapest Balkan Forum is organized by the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade with the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation. The forum gathered Minister Xhaçka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, MFA of Serbia, Ivica Dačić and MFA of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani.