Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati attended the meeting of Foreign Ministers of NATO member countries, held on 13 - 14 May in Antalya, Turkey.

At this meeting, ministers of NATO member countries discussed a series of issues relevant to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security, such as the progress in the framework of the new NATO-led "Resolute Support" mission in Afghanistan, the political situation in Ukraine and NATO cooperation with this country, ways to respond to threats and security challenges in the eastern and southern flank of the Alliance, as well as expectations for the next NATO summit, to be held in Warsaw in summer 2016.

During the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC), member countries expressed their solidarity with Ukrainian authorities and reaffirmed NATO's support to this important partner country. Talks focused on the political situation in Ukraine, as well as opportunities to expand the NATO-Ukraine cooperation.

On the second day, Foreign Ministers widely discussed key challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic security and optimal ways to respond to them. Special attention was paid to security challenges in the east and south of the Alliance, possibilities of increasing cooperation between NATO and the EU in this context, an all-inclusive approach of NATO towards security threats, as well as the prospect of the Alliance’s enlargement.

Talks also focused on the fragile security situation in the Western Balkans, brought to the attention of the NATO Foreign Ministers as a result of the recent disturbing developments in Macedonia, a country which aspires to join NATO and the EU.

In his remarks, Minister Bushati highlighted the necessity of an international investigation, in order to fully shed light on what happened last weekend in the neighboring country.

Regarding the prospect of NATO enlargement, he called for a comprehensive commitment of the Alliance towards all Western Balkan countries based on clear criteria, with a view to consolidate our region from a security standpoint.

Underlining the fact that any further escalation of the situation does not serve the democratic stability and prosperity of Macedonia, Minister Bushati stated that the language of hatred and extremist actions must be replaced by the commitment towards basic human rights, democracy, the rule of law and the Euro Atlantic perspective of Macedonia.

Furthermore, Minister Bushati underlined that inter-ethnic harmony sanctioned in the Ohrid Agreement is essential for democratic stability and for the Euro Atlantic future of Macedonia.

Minister Bushati also reiterated Albania’s active support for Montenegro’s membership to NATO and the institutionalization of the Alliance's relations with Kosovo.