The speaker of Parliament, Mr. Ilir Meta attended the 7th Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the Western Balkan countries met in Budapest under the auspices of the Hungarian Parliament. During his speech as guest of honor at the opening of the conference, Speaker Meta highlighted the progress made by countries of the region during the past two years, emphasizing Croatia's membership in the EU, the status of the candidate country of Albania, advancing dialogue of Serbia -Kosovo, the opening of accession negotiations for Serbia and progress made by Montenegro in the process of negotiations.
However, he noted that the challenges of our region today are divided into two dimensions, in domestic challenges is the rule of law and fighting against corruption are key to consolidating democracy; and of external challenges, are Europe's economic crisis, developments in Ukraine and the rise of populism and Euroscepticism that affect the values of solidarity in our continent. Albania stands to the opinion that regional cooperation should have a meaning only through a clear plan of measures jointly with the European Union, focusing on strengthening the relations of good neighborhood, in concrete regional initiatives, especially in economic and security, in interconnection infrastructure that is crucial for attracting foreign investment, and increasing the regional mobility and professional education of our young people who are more affected by unemployment.
"If we want to end forever any tendency of populism, cultural nationalism and ethnic tension, we should increase interconnection in terms of transport, energy, trade, human mobility, cultural and educational and also strengthen governance, the rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights," said Meta.
In this context, the speaker invited his colleagues to support louder the acceleratation of the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, and asked the recognition of Kosovo get completed by countries of EU and those countries of the region who have not taken this important step for mutual and regional security.
However, he noted that the challenges of our region today are divided into two dimensions, in domestic challenges is the rule of law and fighting against corruption are key to consolidating democracy; and of external challenges, are Europe's economic crisis, developments in Ukraine and the rise of populism and Euroscepticism that affect the values of solidarity in our continent. Albania stands to the opinion that regional cooperation should have a meaning only through a clear plan of measures jointly with the European Union, focusing on strengthening the relations of good neighborhood, in concrete regional initiatives, especially in economic and security, in interconnection infrastructure that is crucial for attracting foreign investment, and increasing the regional mobility and professional education of our young people who are more affected by unemployment.
"If we want to end forever any tendency of populism, cultural nationalism and ethnic tension, we should increase interconnection in terms of transport, energy, trade, human mobility, cultural and educational and also strengthen governance, the rule of law and the respect for fundamental rights," said Meta.
In this context, the speaker invited his colleagues to support louder the acceleratation of the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, and asked the recognition of Kosovo get completed by countries of EU and those countries of the region who have not taken this important step for mutual and regional security.