The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati received today Mr. Peter Szijjarto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, who had a working visit in Tirana.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed their bilateral cooperation and further intensification of the very good relations that the two countries already have. They exchanged views on strengthening the economic cooperation and trade exchanges between the two countries, commending the positive trend of Hungarian investments in the Albanian market.

Cooperation in the framework of the European integration, preparation for the opening of the accession negotiations, further strengthening of the bilateral and regional cooperation between the regions (V4-WB6), and coordination of joint efforts in copying with the security challenges were the main topics addressed at the meeting. In the framework of the European integration process, Hungary shall assist the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania by assigning a diplomat, who will offer expertise in the preliminary process for the opening of the negotiations.

Focusing on the European path of Albania towards the EU, particularly on the process of the opening of the accession negotiations following the European Commission recommendation, Minister Bushati valued the role of Hungary through its continuous support as extremely important. He spoke further about the concrete steps that the Albanian Government has taken to ensure progress in its reform process for integration, identifying especially the need for the implementation of the Vetting Law and determination in its integration path.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó expressed his appreciation for the role played by Albania in the region and assured his Albanian counterpart of the continues support to be given by Hungary in Albania’s European integration process. Focusing on the perspective of enlargement in the Western Balkan, Minister Sizjjarto noted the importance of the opening of accession negotiations with Albania, as a process of interest not only to Albania and the region, but even to the Union itself. 

The Hungarian Minister Szijjarto expressed also his appreciation for the determination and reforms undertaken on the path of consolidation of the rule of law, which will have a positive impact on Albania’s further progress in its integration processes.