Minister Bushati attended the meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of NATO member states which was held on March 31 in Brussels.

The Ministerial proceedings were dedicated to the preparations of NATO’s Special Summit which will be held in May this year in Brussels. Throughout the discussions, Foreign Ministers of the Alliance examined a variety of important topics for the Euro-Atlantic security, such as the need for an increased commitment of the Alliance in the fight against terrorism, progress made in the framework of increasing defense budgets of allied states, as well as the ways to respond to security threats and challenges from the East and the South. Ministers also dealt with the current security situation in the region and the role of third actors in the Western Balkans.

In his address, Minister Bushati expressed Albania's support for an increased commitment of the Alliance in the fight against terrorism, in cooperation and coordination with the European Union and partner countries. He also pointed out the steps undertaken by our country in the fight against violent extremism. In the framework of efforts for a fairer distribution of responsibilities within the alliance, especially as regards budgeting, Minister Bushati explained the positive steps undertaken by our country by increasing defense budget in years 2016-2017, as well as increasing investments for the modernization of armed forces.

“Albania attends this Ministerial with a series of concrete and increasing contributions, which rank our country alongside the most active allies and partners in NATO missions and operations, including Afghanistan, Kosovo, Aegean Sea and very soon Latvia” – Minister Bushati stated.

In this regard, Minister Bushati emphasized the added value offered by Albania in addressing the security challenges at the Alliance borders, underscoring at the same time the importance of an increased attention of NATO in response to the security challenges that the Western Balkans region is facing.

During the Ministerial the Alliance once again expressed its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and stressed the importance of a peaceful solution through the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

In this ministerial were invited the Minister of Montenegro, a country that is expected officially to join soon, the High Representative of EU Federica Mogherini and the Finnish and Swedish Ministers.

In the framework of the Alliance's proceedings, Minister Bushati had a series of special meetings with counterparts of Canada, Christia Freeland, of Greece, Nikos Kotzias and of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Recent developments in the region and the deterioration of the security environment in the Western Balkans were some of the topics discussed in the meetings of Minister Bushati with colleagues Kotzias and Çavuşoğlu.

During his stay in Brussels, Minister Bushati held a meeting with Commissioner Johannes Hahn, with whom was discussed the importance of the implementation of the judiciary reform, especially for the Vetting law, as the essential element towards the opening of negotiations for EU membership.