On 16th of September 2020, the Chief Negotiator for the accession negotiations of Albania into the European Union, Mr. Zef Mazi, met with the Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Greek Republic, Mr. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis. Mr Mazi and Mr Varvitsiotis had consultations on further cooperation between Albania and Greece in the framework of the EU integration of Albania.

The two high-ranking officials discussed the impact of the positive decision of the European Council in March 2020 to open accession negotiations with Albania. Describing it as an historical and groundbreaking decision for Albania, the Chief Negotiator reiterated that Albania continues to fulfill the Council conclusions with greater responsibility and determination to deliver. He expressed the hope and confidence that when Albania delivers in the rule of law-related reforms the EU will also deliver to enable moving on to the next step in the EU path – the convening of the first Integovernmental Conference at the soonest possible timeframe.

The two interlocutors agreed to remain in close contact, including through overseeing the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Acceleration of the Integration Process of Albania into the EU, to continue discussing EU-related issues, including the political support for Albania to reach the next immediate step in the EU path and also to provide technical support for the upcoming negotiations.