German Minister Roth and Cakay: Albania deserves opening negotiations

State Minister for European Affairs at the Federal Foreign Ministry Michael Roth has reconfirmed Germany's support for our country's EU integration, stressing that “Albania has advanced greatly on integration routes and deserves the opening of negotiations”.

The statement was made during the meeting, which incumbent Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj held with him under the official visit to Berlin.

During this visit, Minister of State Gent Cakaj was hosted by State Minister for European Affairs at the Federal Foreign Ministry Michael Roth, with whom he was discussed conducting reforms under the integration process and opening negotiations.

Acting Minister Cakaj expressed gratitude for the continued support Germany has given to and is giving to Albania, which reconfirms the importance of co-operation between the two countries. He thanked Minister Roth for Germany's support as well as his personal contribution.

Minister Roth reaffirmed Germany's support, which remains fully committed to Albania's European perspective and praised that, for this, respect for democratic and constitutional institutions is fundamental.

German minister praised the pace of reforms and encouraged Albanian authorities to continue with the good work that has been done “Albania has advanced greatly on integration routes and deserves the opening of negotiations”, Minister Roth said.

He confirmed that Germany remains a powerful supporter of the Western Balkans' EU integration process.

The ministers estimated that the decision to open negotiations is of strategic importance not only to enhance institutional interconnection, but also for the BP as a whole and that the Berlin Process should be seen as an instrument of European integration.

The two ministers concluded that Albania has achieved the necessary progress for opening negotiations and that the political decision will be based on the commission's report. / TCh/