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| Tomash Petricek (left) and Gent Cakaj |
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Gent Cakaj, hosted a meeting Friday with the Czech Foreign Minister Tomash Petricek, who is in Albania for an official visit.
After the meeting, Cakaj and Petriček gave a joint press conference where Cakaj said that the Czech Republic has been a supporter of the European path of Albania."Together we are part of several security missions within the framework of NATO cooperation. With the colleague Petritsch we talked about bilateral relations, insisting that political communication be translated into more profound economic cooperation. We have stressed the need for projects that contribute to attracting investors in the field of agrotourism, " Cakaj said.
Regarding the situation in the region, Cakaj said they discussed the necessity of resolving all bilateral disputes to contribute to stability and peace in the region, where, according to him, Albania has continued to play its positive role.
Regarding Albania's EU integration perspective, Cakaj said the Czech Republic support the opening of Albania's negotiations in June 2019.
"I am grateful on behalf of the Albanian institutions for Czech support for the opening of the negotiations in June. We have fulfilled all the conditions of the Council and expect a positive decision from the European Commission to open negotiations," Cakaj said.
While the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Tomash Petricek, in his speech said that the relations with the Czech Republic and Albania are excellent and that Albania is a valuable partner in the EU and NATO and other organizations.
"I want to have a close economic cooperation between our two countries. Last year the economic co-operation grew by one-third and there is potential for closer economic cooperation in the future. Albania is becoming an increasingly popular and required destination for Czech tourists. There is also a great potential for cooperation in the field of agriculture," Petricek said.
Regarding Albania's European integration, he said the Czech Republic have always supported EU enlargement. "We support Albania's ambition to open membership talks this June and we will support you ahead of our EU partners," said the Czech Republic's top diplomat.
Speaking of enhancing security cooperation, Petritsch said: "Our two countries cooperate as partners and contribute jointly to security and stability in Europe and other regions."
During his stay in Tirana, Tomash Petricek held also a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, Gramoz Ruçi.