Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, hosted his Montenegrin counterpart, Ervin Ibrahimović, in a meeting, while the Albanian chief diplomat stated that Albania and Montenegro have built a true model of good neighborliness and regional cooperation, Anadolu reports.

After the meeting, Minister Hoxha and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Ibrahimović, held a joint statement in Tirana.

– Hoxha: Albanians in Montenegro and the Montenegrin minority in Albania remain powerful bridges connecting the two countries

Minister Hoxha said that this visit has a special meaning, as it takes place on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and simultaneously with the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of Montenegro.

“During these two decades, Albania and Montenegro have built, with common will, a true model of good neighborliness and regional cooperation. Today, we cooperate closely as friendly countries, as partner countries, as allies in NATO, in a wide range of fields, both bilaterally and regionally and multilaterally”, said Hoxha.

Albania’s chief diplomat added that at an appropriate moment they would reactivate joint intergovernmental meetings.

Hoxha added that the Albanians in Montenegro and the Montenegrin minority in Albania remain strong bridges between the two countries and a precious asset of relations. He added that Albania highly values the close cooperation with Montenegro and “the constructive role that both countries play in strengthening peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans”.

Emphasizing that Albania and Montenegro are today considered by others as pioneer countries of the EU enlargement process, Hoxha said that for Albania, progress on the road to the European Union (EU) is evaluated on the basis of tangible results.

– Ibrahimović: The relationship between Montenegro and Albania is excellent, based on the principles of good neighborliness

Minister Ibrahimović stated that they have once again confirmed that Albania and Montenegro are connected not only by geographical proximity, but also by friendship, trust and a common vision for the development and prosperity of both societies.

“The relationship between Montenegro and Albania is really very good and excellent, based on the principles of the relationship of of good neighborliness, but also of cooperation, which have already been strengthened with the alliance in NATO and the common cooperation and the common European vision. Today in Tirana we convey a clear message that: Montenegro and Albania are not just neighbors, but partners with shared responsibilities for stability, security, peace and the European future of the region,” he said.

Ibrahimovic added that Montenegro strongly supports the integration of the entire Western Balkans into the EU and emphasized that the objective is Montenegro’s membership in the EU until 2028.

“Both Montenegro and Albania as candidate countries for the EU are in full compliance with the EU’s foreign and security policy. Montenegro and Albania continue to have intensive cooperation”, said Ibrahimović.

Source: prizrenpost