NEWS

As part of his official visit to Albania, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, today met with the Albanian political leaders. Within the framework of the visit, the politicians continued the discussions started during the meetings that took place earlier this year. They agreed that the relations between the two countries are good and laid more specific foundations for further cooperation in the economic and other areas in the light of Albania's integration into the European Union. The Albanian side expressed its appreciation for Slovenia’s support during the process of Albania’s integration into NATO and during the process of visa liberalisation for the countries of the Western Balkans. 

The Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, acquainted Prime Minister Janša with the efforts of Albania to obtain candidate status for EU membership. He emphasised that the implementation of the perspective of Albania’s EU membership has been the most important project of his country in this century and that Albania hopes for further support and experience from Slovenia. 

The two prime ministers also discussed bilateral relations, stating that there are no open issues between the countries and many opportunities for economic cooperation, in particular in the fields of energy and infrastructure. "This meeting should give a signal to businessmen from both countries," stressed the Slovenian Prime Minister and proposed a further meeting of the Slovenian-Albanian Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation next year in Slovenia. 

In the introduction to the joint press conference, Prime Minister Janša again congratulated the Albanian people on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence. "Slovenia strongly supports Albania's full membership in the European Union," said the Slovenian Prime Minister, adding that this is not only in the interest of Albania but also in the interest of the entire European Union, and is of particular importance for the stability of the region. "I welcome the constructive role of Albania in terms of regional economic development and stability," emphasised Prime Minister Janša, adding that Albania's accession to the European Union should also be supported by other political stakeholders in the domestic environment. "The European Union is an area of progress and an area where the same rules apply to everyone," he said, and from this standpoint the adoption of European standards is something which should be of mutual interest. In this context, he highlighted that Albania has already proved to be a credible partner. To the question when the EU enlargement process will be on the agenda, Prime Minister Janša responded that this topic will be perhaps already discussed at the EU Council meeting in December and that Slovenia will take this opportunity to support Albania.  

Prime Minister Janša and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, Jozefina Çoba Topalli, talked about the role held by the two parliaments in the development of both countries. Prime Minister Janša presented Slovenian experience in adopting the new pension legislation and labour market reform. The focus was on the parliamentary legislation and the consensus which Albania has to reach according to the latest European Commission report.  

In his introductory speech, the President of the Republic of Albania, Bujar Nishani, thanked Prime Minister Janša for attending the state ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of Albania’s independence, and for all the support provided by Slovenia to Albania on its path to the EU. Prime Minister Janša and Bujar Nishani also talked about bilateral relations and agreed that there is a mutual interest in increasing economic cooperation between the two countries, since the market and areas of cooperation are expanding through the process of Albania’s moving closer to joining the EU and through the implementation of the necessary reforms. Prime Minister Janša also emphasised that Slovenia wants Albania to be granted EU candidate status as soon as possible, because Albania, with its constructive foreign policy, is an important factor for stability in the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Janša stressed that European policy, in accordance with the Thessaloniki agenda, has no other goal to reach in the Western Balkans than its full membership in the EU. He went on to add that Albania has already implemented the key measures for obtaining EU candidate status and that the same rules should apply to every country.