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| Olta Xhaçka shaking hands with Bujar Osmani |
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Olta Xhaçka, is visiting North Macedonia, wherewith her counterpart Bujar Osmani, they emphasized the coordination of the policies of the two neighboring countries in the process of reforms within the framework of talks with the European Union. The two ministers also talked about regional developments, with special emphasis on the recent agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as other challenges faced by the two Balkan countries.
Albania and North Macedonia, which are together making their way towards European integration, will continue at this pace until they are not hindered by any of the bloc's countries. Skopje appreciates Tirana's patience and understanding during the period when Bulgaria had vetoed North Macedonia over talks on joining the EU.
Albanian and Macedonian diplomats said they share a number of common priorities, as both countries carry out reforms and evaluate laws, respectively adapting them to those of the European Union.
"With determination, we are moving towards EU membership. The year 2030 is a real and achievable possibility for both countries to successfully complete this process, and I personally believe in it," said North Macedonia's Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani.
"The moment we are in today is a moment of special geostrategic importance, with Russia's war in Ukraine, which has made Europe realize that a much more proactive and strategic approach is needed towards the Western Balkan countries," stressed Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka.
Xhaçka and Osmani discussed infrastructure links such as Corridor 8, regional initiatives, the need for more trade exchanges, cooperation on cyberattack challenges, the complexity in the region arising from developments in Ukraine, and the latest agreement in Ohrid between Kosovo and Serbia.
"Kosovo is our national interest; We have Kosovo in mind and heart whenever we make a decision, whether in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government, or any other political establishment in Albania has absolute support for Kosovo, for its membership in the Council of Europe, for all the recognition processes, and for its further membership in international organizations. We are coordinated with Kosovo throughout this process; we lobby for Kosovo as we do for Albania, and I believe that with the normalization of relations, with all that we have seen during these days in the advancement of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, I think Kosovo's membership in the EU will become a reality very soon," said the Albanian chief diplomat.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said: "They (Kosovo and Serbia) are our neighbors, and we welcome any progress, stability, and well-being for the whole region. Regardless of different interpretations of what has been agreed upon and what should be implemented, we agreed that there is an agreement, and the parties must implement it without delay. What we consider extremely important is that the agreement, according to its principles and elements, is comprehensive and at one point leads to mutual recognition."
Mr. Osmani said his country has supported and continues to support Kosovo on its path toward EU membership, and welcomes the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Ms. Xhaçka appreciated the role of the Albanians of North Macedonia as contributors to the country's stability and European integration process. She also met with some of the state and political leaders in Skopje, as she encouraged all political actors to contribute constructively to the fulfillment of commitments and to maintaining this good dynamic, as she said, of advancing with concrete results towards integration in the European Bloc.