President Bajram Begaj paid an official visit to Slovakia at the invitation of his counterpart, Peter Pellegrini, where the focus of the meetings was the advancement of bilateral relations, Albania's European integration, and the security situation in the region.
During the tête-à-tête meeting and then in the meeting between the delegations, the two presidents discussed Albania's integration process into the European Union, security challenges as NATO allies, as well as economic cooperation between the two countries.
At the joint press conference, President Begaj praised Slovakia's continued support for Albania's membership in the European Union, describing the Slovak state as an important partner and ally in the country's European journey.
The Head of State stated that Albania has opened all group chapters within a year, describing this as a record pace in the negotiation process, while the objective remains their closure in 2027 and full membership in the European Union in 2030.
"Albania has opened all the group chapters for a year, a record time, and aims to close them in 2027 and to become part of the European Union as a member in 2030," said President Begaj, thanking the Slovak President, government and state for their support for Albania in the European integration process.
The President also praised the role of Slovakia as one of Albania's most active supporters in the accession process, emphasizing that the country has helped with expertise and concrete support in institutional reforms.
The two presidents confirmed their willingness to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest such as energy, tourism, agriculture, health, renewable energy and green transition. They emphasized the need to further institutionalize cooperation through existing agreements and the creation of new partnership instruments.
In this context, the opening of direct flights Tirana - Bratislava was considered a development that is expected to further bring the two peoples closer and strengthen the ties between them.
Regarding the region, President Begaj underlined that the stability of the Western Balkans remains essential for Europe's security and that the region's European integration must remain a strategic priority for the European Union.
Thanking Slovakia for participating with troops in KFOR, the Head of State expressed confidence in a reassessment of its position towards Kosovo, at least in not blocking Kosovo's path towards international organizations.
During his stay in Bratislava, President Begaj also held meetings with Prime Minister Robert Fico and the Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Raši, from whom he received support for Albania's membership in the European Union.
President Begaj also honored the victims of communism at the "Gate of Freedom" memorial, dedicated to the people who lost their lives attempting to cross the "Iron Curtain" of the former Czechoslovakia.
