TIRANA – Two topics were the highlights of the working meeting that President Ilir Meta had with some ambassadors accredited to Albania at the presidential premises on Friday: the coronavirus pandemic and the Zagreb Summit which was held on May 6 this year.
The pandemic and the earthquake that hit Albania successively have shown how important good neighborly relations are, said the President during the exchange of views with the Ambassadors of Greece, Kosovo, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.
“Neighbors were the first to stand by us after the tragic earthquake of November 26 last year,” Meta said adding that all must work constantly to further strengthen cooperation in all areas, especially in the areas of civil emergencies.
According to a press release issued by the presidential press office, it was assessed during the meeting that the measures taken by the regional countries showed efficiency and the need to coordinate actions to enter a new phase of mitigation of restrictive measures.
“A gradual and careful opening of borders, as well as the easing of austerity measures would promote and give impetus to the economy in general, and tourism in particular as an important branch of our country’s economy,” said the President.
The mutual support in this period of pandemic was also appreciated, and gratitude was expressed for the solidarity and assistance of the European Union to all the WB countries to face the situation created by the pandemic COVID-19.
During the meeting gratitude was expressed to the Croatian EU Presidency, the organization of the EU Virtual Summit of May 6 and the encouraging messages it gave in terms of the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
President Meta stressed that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Albania will remain focused on meeting in time all the conditions that the Council has set for Albania for the First Intergovernmental Conference for the opening of EU accession talks.
In another event, President Meta said Albania has reasons for feeling proud in relation to its contribution during World War II, as well as for the fact that it is for 11 years a devoted member of NATO. “Albania is committed to fulfill all its obligations in order to be a member of European Union at the earliest possible moment,” said Meta commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory against the Nazi-fascist aggressors.
President also shared the message of Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, who said: “Today we mark 75 years since the guns fell silent in Europe. NATO was founded on the ruins of the Second World War, forging an unbreakable bond between Europe and North America. Today we are 30 friends and Allies. We remember. And we are stronger together.” /argumentum.al
