Ambassador Ludovika’s forum took place on September 18 at the Church of St. Ladislaus. The event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Budapest and the Regional Cooperation Department of the Ludovika University of Public Service (LUPS).

In his speech, Ambassador Ilirian Kuka emphasized that predicting the future of the Western Balkans is not an easy task. This region has caused countless surprises so far. However, the importance of this region remains unchanged. “Therefore, we believe that its admission to the EU is the only guarantee for a peaceful, safe and prosperous Western Balkans”, he added. He expressed the hope that the integration process will be accelerated and that the development of the common regional market will gain momentum.

“We would like the EU and the United States to intervene decisively in the resolution of regional conflicts. The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue must be promoted and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina urgently addressed. We are working hard to promote these. September and last October, Albania hosted the summit of the leaders of the Berlin Process.
Recently, we organized two other summits, one for Ukraine and the Western Balkans and the other for the Growth Plan 2027, the NATO summit”, Ambassador Kuka listed, among other things.

The event also discussed the decline in support for EU enlargement, the importance of regional cooperation and other geopolitical topics. There was a high participation of the diplomatic group in Budapest, representatives of state institutions as well as Hungarian and international students who became part of the discussion with their questions for Ambassador Kuka.

The international vice-rector of LUPS, Pier Paolo Pigozzi Sandoval, also greeted those present. “The mission of LUPS is to promote and improve relations between countries. One of our most successful series of events, the Ludovika Ambassador Forum, provides an excellent opportunity for this,” said the vice-rector. He emphasized that the University actively contributes to the tasks of the current Hungarian Presidency as in July, Hungary began its six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The admission of the Western Balkans is important for the community: the integration of this region is beneficial for the EU from an economic, security and geopolitical point of view. “In order to get to know and understand the Western Balkans region, we decided to dedicate the Ambassador’s Forum this semester to one of these countries, namely Albania”, he added. The shared history and relationship between Hungary and Albania dates back more than 600 years. Our defense, economic, cultural and trade relations have strengthened, we are now allies in NATO and strong partners in Europe. Within the framework of the Erasmus+ program and bilateral agreements of inter-institutional cooperation, LUPS will further strengthen the range of cooperation with Albanian universities and research institutes, the international vice-rector emphasized.