In the framework of his participation in the proceedings of the UN General Assembly in New York, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati held a meeting with the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans.

During the meeting, Minister Bushati valued the role of the European Commission in supporting the EU integration process of Albania. Moreover, he put the emphasis on Albania’s progress with regard to state-building reforms and reassured on the commitment and full willingness of the government to consolidate the progress marked and assessed by the European Commission, both in the last enlargement package as well as in the framework of the High Level Dialogue with the European Commission. Minister Bushati noted that reforms concerning the rule of law, justice, as well as the fight against corruption and organized crime are at the focus of our government’s efforts.

On his part, Vice President Timmermans praised the progress of Albania in the implementation of reforms which concern the five key priorities.  In this framework, he expressed his belief that Albania will continue the course of state-building reforms and underlined the importance of the justice reform for Albania’s advancement in its European integration path.

With regard to the European perspective of the Western Balkans and cooperation in the region, interlocutors noted that the Berlin process has managed to generate positive and concrete steps, since Western Balkan countries have been able to fulfill their commitments in a collective manner.

Furthermore, Minister Bushati and Mr. Timmermans exchanged views on current challenges facing our region and Europe. Minister Bushati underlined the importance of coordinating efforts at EU level and within our region in order to provide a collective response to our common challenges.