Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest. Rama expressed satisfaction with the opening of the first negotiating cluster for Albania with the EU, which will take place next week.
“I am pleased to express our deep heartfelt gratitude for what the Hungarian Presidency has done for us by encouraging, coordinating and making this possible. In a few days we will have the opportunity to start negotiations with the EU, a whole group of chapters, and thus we will enter the phase of advanced integration," he said.
Rama did not fail to thank Hungary's European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhei, who "has accompanied us for five years, as he has made a decisive contribution to many of our achievements."
Tirana and Budapest signed two cooperation agreements: in the field of agriculture and public administration.
"Hungary's experience is very important for us. We also talked about investments. We feel encouraged by the fact that Hungarian companies are investing in Albania - about 350 million euros, which is a significant figure for our country," said Rama, quoted by the "Albanian Post".
He expressed gratitude to Orbán on behalf of the countries of the Western Balkans for the support "not only in words, but also in deed".
"I expect that a lot will be done between the 6 countries of the Western Balkans and Hungary," stressed Rama.
Orbán noted the upcoming second intergovernmental conference between the European Union and Albania on October 15 in Luxembourg. He pointed out that Albania was already supposed to be part of the EU, but there were political obstacles in the process that delayed the process.
"I can tell you that we succeeded, because next week in Luxembourg the (intergovernmental) conference between the European Union and Albania will be held and the first negotiating cluster will be opened," said the Hungarian Prime Minister.
From 1 July to 31 December 2024, Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU. | BGNES
