Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, welcomed today the OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger, who is paying an official visit to our country.

Minister Bushati and Mr. Thomas Greminger discussed issues related to increase of efficiency of OSCE policies in all three dimensions of its activity within the organization, as well as the Balkan region. Minister Bushati and Mr. Greminger discussed the organization’s role in addressing a number of important security issues. Minister Bushati emphasized Albania’s active participation in the Organization and its readiness to further assist in its reform.

Furthermore, the Albanian Foreign Minister and the OSCE SG focused on Albania’s cooperation with the organization and the role of the OSCE Presence in our country, praising its contribution to supporting reforms in the country, as part of Albania’s integration agenda in the European Union. Minister Bushati welcomed the OSCE support for reforms in the field of law, parliamentary diplomacy, good governance, electoral reform, fight against corruption, etc. Minister Bushati and Mr. Greminger also exchanged views on the latest European Commission report, which unconditionally recommended the opening of accession talks between Albania and the EU. The OSCE contribution with expertise in meeting reforms in the country would be appreciated.

Minister Bushati underlines Albania’s constructive role in regional security and stability and good neighbourly relations. He said that the OSCE’s commitment to creating a favourable climate for regional cooperation would help preserve and strengthen peace in the Balkans region and beyond. Minister Bushati welcomed the decision to hold in Albania the tomorrow’s regional summit between the OSCE SG and the OSCE Heads of Mission in SEE countries, in order to address issues of interest to the organization, as well as to regional cooperation.

On his part, the OSCE SG valued the partnership with Albania, directly reflected both in the political dialogue and in the field of security, interconnection, regional cooperation etc. He highlighted the electoral reform in the country, where the OSCE is committed in preparing a high-standard legal framework for election that is ready to be implemented in the upcoming elections in the country. Mr. Greminger also welcomed Albania for drafting a law on the protection of national minorities, where the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities has offered its expertise in the process of drafting its bylaws. The interlocutors also appraised the contribution that Albanians give to the OSCE structures and agreed on the right representation of Albanians in them.