The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, welcomed today in Tirana the heads of state and delegations of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).
In his capacity as the Chair of the SEECP for the period 2024-2025, President Begaj, at the opening of the summit and in his closing statement to the press, praised the achievements of the South East European Cooperation Process to date, reaffirmed Albania's commitment to integration into the European Union, and invited all countries in the region and the European Union to maintain political will so that the hope for membership in the Union is not extinguished.
The Head of State described the SEECP summit as an opportunity to encourage dialogue aimed at promoting regional stability, prosperity and cooperation, as well as the European integration process.
In a joint press statement with the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, the country that chaired the SEECP before Albania, and with the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, who took over the next chairmanship, the President of the Republic of Albania announced that the discussions held served to deepen the constructive dialogue and reaffirm the commitment to a common European future.
The President of the Republic declared that Albania is ready to lead, engage and contribute meaningfully to the future of Europe and that the path towards EU integration is linked to the broader integration of the Western Balkans.
Under Albania's chairmanship, according to President Begaj, the SEECP has given importance to regional cooperation and the European future, as strengthening relations with the EU will bring lasting benefits, both for our region and for the European continent in general.
"As we look ahead, it is essential that the EU members of this platform continue to support the integration of SEECP aspirants into the EU's Common Market," emphasized President Begaj in his opening speech at the summit, calling the building of the socio-economic bridge between Southeast Europe and the rest of the European Union an urgency rather than a necessity.
While praising the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, President Begaj stated that “For Albania, the path towards EU integration is linked to the broader integration of the Western Balkans. This is why we have consistently prioritized reconciliation, the creation of a Regional Common Market and close engagement in the Berlin Process. These are not abstract principles. They are practical steps towards a common future.”
President Begaj spoke about the vision of Albania's leadership in the region from chairing the Berlin Process in 2023, to the Central European Initiative, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation in 2024, to MARRI (Migration, Asylum and Refugee Regional Initiative) in 2024–2025, and also chairing the SEECP.
“Our commitments remain clear: we believe in dialogue, in peaceful solutions, strong ties with the EU and a clear commitment to our region’s EU membership. However, we must be realistic. Security threats and political instability persist in some parts of our region. These challenges must be addressed decisively, with the active involvement of the EU.”
The President of the Republic paid special attention at this summit to the tensions in the Middle East, conveying the message of finding paths to peace through the engagement of the parties in diplomatic efforts. The recent conflict between Israel and Iran constitutes a serious concern and risk with global consequences, and the Head of State declared our country's position on resolving this situation: "Albania expresses concern about the growing tensions between Israel and Iran. This conflict has serious consequences for the Middle East and beyond. Albania reaffirms Israel's right to its security and the protection of its citizens. We call on Iran to stop its nuclear and ballistic programs. We also call on Iran to fulfill its obligations in accordance with international law, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Albania calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a lasting solution."
In the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has brought back the concern and fragility of peace and the spread of instability to the region, President Begaj assessed that EU enlargement is not only a matter of reforms, but also a matter of European security.
The President of the Republic, while speaking about the rapid pace of Albania's reforms for EU membership, called on the leaders at the summit to advance with the joint EU integration process: "The hope of membership should not fade into fatigue. It must remain a common objective and a tangible goal for our entire region. The Western Balkans have great potential for growth. EU membership is more than just a process. It is a transformative journey. It brings peace. It brings stability. It brings prosperity. But it also requires unwavering political will, both from the aspiring countries and from the EU itself."
"Albania, - emphasized President Begaj, remains committed to the principles of the SEECP platform, reconfirming its commitment to good neighborly relations, regional cooperation and the preservation of peace, stability and prosperity." (A2 Televizion)
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