Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati held a meeting with the Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincenzo Amendola, who is paying an official visit in Tirana in the framework of Italy’s Chairmanship of the Berlin Process for which he also had a Coordination Meeting with the Italian ambassadors accredited in the region.

On focus of the discussions were the preparations for the upcoming Summit in Trieste, the process of European integration of Albania, the intensification of bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

Interlocutors shared the view that advancing the achievements of the Paris Summit requires joint efforts aiming at continuing that the Berlin Process provides further results in the implementation of the interconnection agenda and strengthening of the EU support for the integration perspective of the Western Balkan countries.

In this context, Minister Bushati extended appreciation for Italy's role as host country of the next Summit of the Berlin Process. He also thanked Italy for the unconditional support in Albania’s path towards the approaching the European family and assured Undersecretary Amendola that our country will continue to fulfill all the criteria required by the EU to quickly follow with the next step towards the opening of accession negotiations.

On his part, the Italian senior official emphasized the work in progress to ensure the full success of the Trieste Summit through the fulfillment of tangible and comprehensive results for the entire region. Highly appreciating Albania’s government efforts in the fulfillment of reforms and strengthening the rule of law, Amendola assured Minister Bushati for Italy's continuous support in the process of integration of our country into the European Union.

Dwelling on bilateral relations, interlocutors stressed the necessity of further strengthening the Strategic Partnership and further enhancement of the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation.

Regarding developments in the region, interlocutors highlighted the importance of strengthening regional co-operation in favor of promoting good neighborly relations, inclusiveness and the joint European perspective. Undersecretary Amendola highly praised the active and constructive leadership of our country in the region serving peace and security in the Western Balkans and Adriatic Europe.