On 23 and 24 September 2020, the Chief Negotiator for the accession negotiations of Albania into the European Union, Mr. Zef Mazi, visited Rome for a bilateral visit in Italy. Mr Mazi met with Mr. Vincenzo Amendola, Minister for European Affairs, Mr. Piero Fassino, President of the III Commission (Foreign and Community Affairs) of Deputies Chamber at Italian Parliament, Mr. Ivan Scalfarotto, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other high officials of Italian Ministry of Foreign affairs.

The high-raking officials had very fruitful consultations on furthering the strategic cooperation and partnership between Albania and Italy also in the framework of Albania’s integration into the EU.
The Albanian and Italian interlocutors discussed the impact of the positive decision of the European Council in March 2020 to open accession negotiations with Albania, in particular, they highlighted the very helpful hand and contribution of Italy in the process leading to the EU Member States consensually adopting this decision last March on opening the accession negotiations with Albania. That was a historical and groundbreaking decision for Albania.

The Chief Negotiator reiterated that Albania continues to resolutely fulfill the Council Conclusions with greater responsibility and determination and to yield results which are load and clear. He also noted that, with the broadest possible support in its integration efforts from all the Albanian political spectrum, the NGOs, the academia, the media and, very importantly, the overwhelming majority of the people, Albania will continue with greater demonstrable commitment its EU integration path.
Mr Mazi expressed the hope and confidence that, as Albania continues to deliver in fulfilling the Council Conclusions in the rule of law-related reforms, justice, fundamental rights and security, etc., the EU will also deliver and decide thus enabling Albania to move ahead onto the next step in its EU path – the convening of the first Intergovernmental Conference at the soonest possible time frame.

The Albanian Chief Negotiator and the Italian high-ranking officials very much appreciated the close, historical and on-going relations between of our two countries. They agreed to remain in close contact, to continue discussing and cooperating on all EU-related aspects of the Integration Process of Albania into the EU and to accelerate this process. They also underlined the importance of the continued wide Italian political support for Albania to reach the next immediate step in the EU path and to providing further technical support in various fields for the upcoming negotiations.
Moreover, Mr. Mazi, during the official visit, delivered a conference webinar at CeSPI with the topic: “Rome-Tirana, strategic partnership for accession”.