TIRANA, June 16 – Albanian President Ilir Meta participated on Thursday at the 9th Baku Global Forum under the motto “Challenges to the global world order” organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center under the auspices of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. President Meta said that “the conflict in Ukraine and recent developments show how wise and visionary the investment in TAP has been.” Meta expressed gratitude for the support given by Azerbaijan, as well as President Aliyev for the successful construction and implementation of the TAP pipeline.
According to him, the importance of this project is multiplied as an alternative energy source for the region and the whole of Europe. “The war in Ukraine has affected the entire world in terms of stability, changing in particular the European and NATO security environment,” Meta said, adding that the war produced the opposite effect of what Russia expected. to divide them, but the allied nations have united. He thought that the answer was a global coalition in support of the peace-loving people and democratic institutions of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Meta said that “we, in the Western Balkans, are concerned over the intervention of Russian representatives, who aim to undermine our democracy and stability.”
“The idea of a free and peaceful Europe cannot be complete without the involvement of the Western Balkan countries, which are key partners and integral members of our common European family. Recognition of the Republic of Kosovo by all UN member states, as well as visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo, would greatly contribute to peace and stability in our region,” Meta noted.
Further Albanian President said that Albania as a NATO country and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council is committed to the positions of the Euro-Atlantic partners and allies both at European and global level in these times of challenges for security, stability and peace in Europe and in the world.
He spoke with concern about the consequences of the war in Ukraine regarding food supply in the world. Meanwhile, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev received President Meta in a meeting. Wishing new successes to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan, President Meta thanked him for the successful completion of the TAP project. He wished Azerbaijan success in the major construction works carried out in the liberated territories. Noting that the peoples of Albania and Azerbaijan are brotherly peoples, Meta welcomed the fact that next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Aliyev praised Albania’s support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the second Karabakh war and stressed that this shows once again that Albania is a friendly and brotherly country for Azerbaijan.
/Argumentum.al
