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11.03.2008

EU-Albania Troika meets on the margins of the GAERC meeting

Representatives of the EU and Albania met today on the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The EU-Albania Troika meeting focused on relations between the EU and Albania in relation to the Stabilisation and Association Process, as well as in the context of regional cooperation. The Troika also discussed political developments in the Western Balkans and the current situation in Albania.

The meeting was chaired by the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana. The Slovenian EU Council Presidency was represented by the State Secretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Matjaž Šinkovec, while Albania was represented by its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lulzim Basha. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the European Commission and the forthcoming French EU Council Presidency.

Matjaž Šinkovec emphasised the Slovenian Presidency's particular commitment to the European perspective for all of the Western Balkans, in line with the Thessaloniki Declaration. “We attach great importance to all the political and economic developments within Albania, and within each of the other countries of the region,” said the Slovenian State Secretary, stressing that only practical developments can help the Presidency, and the EU as a whole, move forward together with Albania towards making that common future a reality.

Among the areas where Albania can make substantial progress, Mr Šinkovec mentioned electoral reform, strengthening the rule of law, and reform of the judiciary. He also welcomed the Albanian Government's commitment to combating corruption and organised crime and its efforts to ease living conditions for the average citizen by tackling the major issue of day-to-day energy shortages.

The participants at today's Troika meeting also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans region, including the political developments following Kosovo's declaration of independence. They underlined that regional cooperation is fundamental for the region as a way to speed up democratic and economic development. In this respect, the newly established Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the successor to the Stability Pact, can be an important tool. The EU representatives encouraged Albania to become actively involved in cooperation within the RCC.

 

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Date: 11.03.2008