In the course of the meeting with Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Timo Soini stated that Finland supports opening of the EU accession negotiations for Albania.

During the meeting held in Helsinki, Finland, Foreign Minister Soini confirmed that his country will not only try to vote in favour of such decision, but will also lobby with the other Member States.

Acting Minister Gent Cakaj expressed appreciation for Minister Soini for the solid support provided by Finland, and said that he looks forward to having Finland’s support also under Finland’s succeeding Presidency of the European Union as of July 2019.

Finnish Minister Soini, likewise, acknowledged the progress hitherto made in meeting the key priorities, and encouraged continuity of reforms in Albania.

Additionally, the two Ministers Cakaj and Soini discussed about further bilateral cooperation in the framework of foreign policy and economy.

Earlier on, Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj had a meeting with important representatives from the Organisation for Foreign Policies of Finland, Paasikivi. The meeting with the Chairperson of the Organisation and other members, including former Prime Ministers, Presidents, and others, centred around the progress of Albania’s integration into Europe, and the developments across the region.