Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, upon invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and Estonian Foreign Minister, Sven Mikser, attended the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU (Gymnich) held in Estonia.

In this meeting were also invited Foreign Ministers of the EU candidate countries. Discussions focused on common security challenges in Europe, especially in preventing and fighting radicalism and violent extremism.

Minister Bushati briefed on Albania's measures and achievements in preventing and fighting violent extremism and also expressed Albania’s continued support and full alignment with the EU policy on addressing security challenges.

Minister Bushati reiterated the need for an increased EU presence in the Western Balkans, in the framework of a strengthened partnership in dealing with common challenges.

Minister Bushati stressed that in order to prevent the spread of extremist ideology, economic development and employment opportunities for young people should remain a high priority. In this context, he stressed the need to narrow the gap in economic development between EU countries and our region also through the financial instruments of the EU enlargement process.

During his visit in Tallinn, Minister Bushati held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto. Minister Bushati informed his Hungarian counterpart on the progress of the reform process in Albania and the preparations for the formation of the new government.

Minister Szijjarto assured Hungary's full support for opening accession negotiations with the EU. The two ministers also discussed ways of deepening economic exchanges between the two countries.