Three EU foreign ministers in Tirana: Albania ready to open negotiations in June, no reason for delays

From the left: Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Czech Republic Jakub Kulhánek, Austrian one Alexander Schallenberg, the Albanian Minister Olta Xhaçka and the Minister of Slovenia Anže Logar, May 23, 2021, Tirana

 The three Foreign Ministers: Austria, Slovenia and the Czech Republic were in Tirana today, they were received by their counterpart Olta Xhaçka and Albanian President Ilir Meta.

President Meta praised the support of the Austrian, Czech, and Slovenian ministers in the progress that Albania has made towards membership in the European Union.

Meanwhile, Minister Xhaçka assessed the visit of her counterparts as an indicator of the support of these countries for official Tirana.

Meanwhile, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg during the joint conference stated that Albania is ready to start negotiations in June and that there is no reason for delays.

"I believe that we all know and share the same view that the full integration of all the countries of the Western Balkans is in the interest of the entire European Union. "Only when the six countries of the Western Balkans become full members of the EU, will we be able to achieve the vision of the continent after the Second World War," said Schallenberg.

"Albania has come a long way, has undertaken quite large reforms, has done its homework, and is ready to open membership talks in June. "There is no reason for further delay and we assure you that we will do our utmost within the European Union to ensure that these membership talks finally open," the minister added.