NEWS
Prime Minister Pahor on official visit to the Republic of Albania: “Albania is a land of opportunities.”
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, is on a first official visit to the Republic of Albania, where he was received by the Albanian Prime Minister Berisha. Prime Minister Pahor declared that he considered Albania a land of opportunities. In the media statement following the discussions between the two delegations, the interlocutors said that the countries had no open issues between them. In the framework of a more intense cooperation, Prime Minister Pahor proposed the establishment of expert groups contributing to the strengthening of economic cooperation. Albanian Prime Minister Berisha highlighted the European dream of uniting regions, and added that Albania would endeavour especially for the strengthening of good relations in the region.
The interlocutors agreed that good relations in the region required the cooperation in a friendly spirit, and that this was the way to address certain issues hindering the progress of the region towards the EU. Prime Minister Pahor went on to express his solidarity with the people of Albania affected by recent floods and said that the Slovenian Government would decide on financial and other assistance to Albania at its session scheduled for the following day.
This visit is a successful continuation of last year’s intense bilateral cooperation and is largely of economic nature, as Pahor is accompanied by a strong economic delegation. In addition, the session of a mixed economic committee took place yesterday in Tirana. The visit is also an opportunity for a better understanding of the progress of the Republic of Albania towards the European Union and, in this context, for Slovenia’s support.
The principal topics of discussions were bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the fields of economy, energy and internal policies with a particular emphasis on Albania’s progress towards the EU and visa liberalisation process. The talks also focused on the cooperation in the framework of multilateral organisations and regional initiatives, and Slovenian and Albanian Prime Ministers exchanged their views on the current situation in the Western Balkans. Albanian Prime Minister Berisha expressed his satisfaction with the visit of the Slovenian delegation and thanked for Slovenia’s support concerning the European integration and visa liberalisation. Prime Minister Pahor stressed that Slovenia fully supports Albania’s efforts to join the EU and pointed out the efforts of the Member of the European Parliament Tanja Fajon in this field. The Albanian Prime Minister said that he wished to express his gratitude to Mrs Fajon on this occasion. Slovenian Prime Minister went on to welcome further efforts for improving of economic links between the countries, considering that Albania has great potential and that its doors are wide open to Slovenian investors. Prime Minister Pahor stressed that the Slovenian Government is willing to assist the Albanian Government with advice in tackling the economic and financial crisis. The Albanian Prime Minister commended Slovenia's endeavours for the Western Balkans and the Brdo process, which may be, in both interlocutors’ opinion, the right solution for the region and problems it faces.
As part of the official visit, Prime Minister Borut Pahor met with the President of the Republic of Albania, Dr Bamir Topi, and attended the reception hosted by the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, Jozefina Topalli. At the margin of the visit, Prime Minister Pahor will, together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Sali Berisha, officially inaugurate the embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana and attend the opening of the Slovenian – Albanian business conference at the Chamber of Commerce in Tirana.