Austria, Spain, and Sweden support the opening of negotiations for Albania in October

 Alexander Schallenberg (middle) and Gent Cakaj (right) 

 The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gent Cakaj, during the informal meeting of the OSCE Foreign Ministers in Slovakia, received the support of Austria, Spain, and Sweden for the opening of Albania's negotiations with the European Union.

During the meeting with Federal Minister for European Affairs Alexander Schallenberg, two important issues for Albania were discussed: the prospect of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans together with Albania's ambition to get a positive response in October and Albania's preparations to take over the OSCE chairmanship next year.

The Austrian Minister Schallenberg assured Austria's unwavering support for opening Albania's negotiations with the EU, stressing that Albania has taken all the necessary measures and is ready to start negotiations with the European Union.

He also assured that Austria will be a loud and powerful supporter of Albania to make a positive decision at the next Council meeting in October.

Cakaj thanked Minister Schallenberg for Austria's assistance in the framework of Albania's preparations for the OSCE Chairmanship next year.

Josef Borrell (left) and Gent Cakaj

During his stay in Slovakia's Tatra, Cakaj also held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Spain's Cooperation, Josep Borrell, who praised Albania's efforts and engagement to meet the conditions for opening the negotiations.

Borrell reassured Spain's support for the opening of negotiations between Albania and the EU, expressing the Spanish position that the Western Balkans should become part of the European Union as soon as possible.

Cakaj confirmed during the meeting that Albania has met the technical conditions to start these negotiations and is convinced that the opening of negotiations with the EU is well deserved.

As for the OSCE's next year's presidency, Cakaj informed the Spanish counterpart that Albania has built solid cooperation with many member states to ensure more credibility and full support of the Organization's agenda.

Cakaj's meeting with Sweden's Margot Wallström has been focused on the reforms undertaken by Albania.

The Deputy Swedish Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wallström, praised the progress of the elections of Albania, confirming the strong support for the opening of the negotiations. Wallström encouraged the continuation of reforms.

For his part, Cakaj said that taking a positive decision will give Albania a new impetus to further progress with reforms.

Cakaj said the Justice Reform in Albania is unprecedented and Albania is determined to continue the reforms.