The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, welcomed in an official meeting the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Gordan Grlic-Radman.

Minister Xhaçka commended Croatia’s achievements after joining the European Union, as she emphasized that Croatia will continue to support Albania in its European journey.

“What Croatia has achieved in just a decade after joining the EU, not only makes us happy as good neighbors, but encourages us that the work and efforts to carry out reforms and achieve standards are rewarded. Colleague Radman assured me that Croatia will continue to be a supporter of our EU integration process, not only politically, but also with concrete technical expertise,” she said.

The Albanian chief diplomat appreciated Croatia for its support to Kosovo, while underlining the need to strengthen bilateral coordination in addressing security issues.

” We need to increase and strengthen our bilateral cooperation and coordination with like-minded neighbors in the region, as well as our European and NATO partners, to successfully face security challenges of all dimensions while facing these new challenges, as encouraged by the context of developments in Ukraine. I have a lot of faith that we can enhance our cooperation between us and benefit not only our own people but also the entire area if we work together to do so.” said Minister Xhaçka.

Minister Radman emphasized that Croatia remains active in helping Albania in the entire process of EU membership negotiations, so that they move at a pace as fast as possible.

” Croatia is prepared to provide Albania with political and technical support to carry out the transmission of all its knowledge and experience for Albania’s integration into the EU. ” he said.

The focus of the talks between the two officials was also the further strengthening of economic and commercial cooperation, as they discussed a number of activities that will be held for the first time, such as the joint meeting of the two governments.

Minister Radman will also pay a visit to the city of Kruja for the inauguration of a school built with the Croatian aid given to help with the consequences of the 2019 earthquake.

This official visit and all the meetings at various levels that are taking place between the two countries are an expression of the shared desire to actively develop their strategic partnership, in both its political and all other potential areas that this partnership framework offers.