Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati, in the course of his visit to Sweden, had a meeting with the Chair of the EU Commission in the Swedish parliament, Karin Enström.

Both interlocutors paid special attention to Albania’s EU integration process, sharing the same opinion on the importance of enlargement policy in the Balkans and the reform process in all countnries in the region. Minister Bushati expressed gratitude for Sweden’s steady support, including the Swedish Parliament, for the enlargement process at a time when the EU is facing numerous and serious challenges. Mrs. Enström reaffirmed the Swedish position on membership of the Balkans, including Albania, in the European Union based on merits and fulfillment of the specific criteria.

In the framework of the visit to Sweden, Minister Bushati held a meeting with the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and Migration, Lars Westbratt.

Minister Bushati acquainted the Secretary of State Westbratt with the progress of EU-related reforms, focusing in particular on justice reform, as a top priority not only for Albania’s European integration, but also for the Albanian citizens and attaction of foreign investment in the country. “Albania is implementing a comprehensive justice reform that addresses the current shortcomings in terms of independence, accountability, efficiency and professionalism of the justice system. Implementation of the existing legislation is developing at a steady pace, and at the same time work is ongoing to implement the veting process at all levels”, Minister Bushati noted.

The interlocutors shared views about the migration crisis and its impact, and praised the co-operation between the two countries to curb the asylum seeker phenomenon.

Minister Bushati also held a meeting with State Secretary for International Development and Cooperation, Ulrika Modeer, as well as with the US Secretary of State for Trade and Commerce Oscar Stenström.