Minister in charge of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Gent Cakaj, paid an official visit to the Netherlands, where he was received in a meeting by Dutch counterpart Stef Blok.
The meeting discussed the bilateral relations, the reforms undertaken by the Albanian government to meet the five key priorities in the framework of opening negotiations with the European Union, as well as the expectations for opening accession negotiations.
Acting Minister Cakaj and his Dutch counterpart underlined Albania's achievements in the field of justice in particular. Albania's progress is undisputed, according to Dutch estimates.
Also, in order to address mutual concerns, including concerns in the area of irregular migration, the bilateral cooperation between law and order mechanisms was extremely appreciated and agreed on further strategic cooperation in the future.
Minister Cakaj stressed the need for a positive decision of the Council to open membership negotiations, which would be an encouraging message for Albania, the Western Balkans region and its European perspective. Moreover, such a process would contribute to deepening the momentum of the reforms initiated by Albania in general.
If something can not be questioned, it is precisely the fulfillment of all the technical conditions for the opening of the EU membership negotiations by Albania. Such an assessment is articulated by the European Commission itself in the latest report on Albania. Further, in full agreement, Minister Cakaj and Blok, have embraced the Commission's considerations of the strategic importance of the enlargement process in the Western Balkans in general.
Albania and the Netherlands will continue strategic co-operation and, of course, intensive cooperation in the field of the European integration process. The Netherlands recognizes the rooted progress and qualitative changes that Albania isundergoing.