Skopje, 23 September 2024 (MIA) – Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi met Monday at the national assembly with Albania's Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali, who is paying an official visit.

Gashi and Spiropali held a joint news conference. No interpretation was provided for Spiropali’s remarks.

Speaking at the joint news conference, Gashi said the two countries share the same goals and interests on the international scene, including full-fledged EU membership, defense cooperation within NATO and enhancing of regional cooperation.

“In the meeting, we expressed expectation and hopes that our two countries will resume their EU integration path together. We believe it is vital both for our two countries and the other countries in the region, because we share a joint commitment to far-reaching development of the Western Balkans. We stressed that enlargement is one of the best policies of the bloc as a geostrategic necessity and a long-term investment for the whole of Europe in a political, security and economic sense. It is a good mechanism for progress and rewards, which have been motivating the countries to implement the required reforms, that should ultimately result in full-fledged membership in the Union,” said Gashi.

The countries’ priorities of mutual interest, Gashi added, include more efficient use of EU funds and joint participation in new IPA-funded projects. He also called for ways to enhance economic cooperation by promoting business potentials and implementing infrastructural projects, deemed important for the progress and stability of the two countries.

“Construction of roads must continue as well as energy and rail connectivity of the two countries as part of Corridor 8 so as to increase exchange of people, goods and services, which enjoys huge potential,” the Speaker stated. 

Photo: MIA