Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj made an official visit to The Netherlands, where he was received in a meeting by his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok.

Discussions in the course of the meeting revolved around the bilateral relations, and the reforms carried out by the Government of Albania to meet the five key priorities, in the framework of the launch of the EU accession talks, and the expectations concerning the opening of the accession negotiations.

Acting Minister Cakaj and his Dutch counterpart underpinned the achievements that have resulted through implementation of reforms in Albania, and especially the justice reform. Albania’s progress is unquestionable also to the estimation of the Dutch side.

Additionally, with a view to addressing mutual concerns, including concerns relating to illegal migration, bilateral cooperation through the order and safety mechanisms was considered to be particularly critical, and further strategic cooperation in the future was agreed upon.

Acting Minister Cakaj underlined the importance of a positive decision by the Council about the launch of accession negotiations, which would be an encouraging message to Albania, as well as to the Western Balkan region and its European perspective. Moreover, such a process would help deepen the momentum of reforms effected in Albania overall.

What cannot be put to the question is precisely the fulfillment of all the technical conditions by Albania for the opening of the EU accession negotiations. Such acknowledgment was made by the European Commission itself in its recent report on Albania. Furthermore, Acting Minister Cakaj and Blok in full agreement embraced the Commission’s considerations concerning the strategic importance of the enlargement process across the Western Balkans in general.

Albania and The Netherlands will continue their strategic cooperation, and certainly, their intensive cooperation for Albania’s integration into the European Union. The Netherlands recognises the radical progress and qualitative changes, which are characterizing Albania consistently.