The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, participated in the unofficial meeting of the Ministers for European Affairs with the topic “Towards a more resistant EU after the Covid-19 crisis” held in Slovenia.

Minister Xhaçka appreciated the ongoing support of Slovenia for the integration of Albania in the EU as she emphasized that the European Union must send a message of commitment to the Western Balkans region offering a strategic approach to it.

The Albanian Chief Diplomat underlined that the cost coming from the isolation of the Western Balkans is much higher than the cost of the integration of the Western Balkans.

“When we are referring to the risks that threaten our societies the Western Balkans cannot be treated separately from the EU. We are an enclave inside the body of the EU. Everything that happens in this enclave will have consequences for EU. The pandemic was proof of the imminent need for the Western Balkans and EU to work closely together. I am referring to the integration process of course, where I hope that EU will find a way to keep the promise for Albania and North Macedonia”, – said the minister.