The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Mr. Bujar Osmani.

“I feel proud that the cooperation between Albania and North Macedonia has already turned into a model of cooperation between neighbors in our region, contributing to the development and interconnection of the region and especially to its irreversible orientation towards the Euro- Atlantic perspective. We discussed ways to further intensify cooperation between us in areas of special bilateral interest, sharing a common vision for Corridor 8, which, beyond its regional and European, infrastructural, and economic dimensions, should serve an important dimension of security in the context of the war in Ukraine,” said Minister Xhaçka.

“Our meeting today brings together the foreign ministers of two NATO members as well as those of two countries that are about to begin the first rounds of discussions with the EU. I want to emphasize the importance of Albanians in North Macedonia to the stability and growth of the country as well as their unwavering support for integration efforts. As a result, it is important to maintain care for their rights, which are based on the Ohrid Agreement and other legal documents. The Albanian chief diplomat stressed that both the Macedonian minority in Albania and the Albanian minority in MV “remain a significant bridge of connection, friendship, and cooperation between our two countries”.

Mr. Osmani, the foreign minister of North Macedonia, stated in his speech that the Western Balkan countries should take use of the advantages within the framework of regional initiatives, first in the Berlin Process.

“Economic cooperation is successful but not enough. We have a need but also an obligation to offer citizens potential for exchange and cooperation. We also brought up the deal that Kosovo and Serbia just reached in Ohrid. Despite the different interpretations of what was concurred and must be done, we agreed that the agreement exists and that the parties must implement it, for which they will have our support. It is important that the agreement be comprehensive and at some point, result in mutual recognition. All six countries of the region must have a clear European perspective. Tomorrow we will have the ministerial meeting of the USA-Adriatic Charter A5, where we will discuss the regional challenges but also the new situation of international relations caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine”, said Minister Osmani.

Minister Xhaçka concluded by discussing Albania’s assessment of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the agreement reached in Ohrid on March 18 with her colleague Osmani. She stated that this agreement will help to strengthen stability in the Western Balkans, its Euro-Atlantic perspective, and the consolidation of democratic institutional frameworks.