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The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, at the start of his official visit to Austria, was received today with high honors by President Alexander Van der Bellen, with whom he initially held a one-on-one meeting, then one with the presence of the respective delegations, and finally the heads of the two states gave a joint press conference.
In confirmation of the traditional Albania-Austria friendship, the heads of the two states shared similar positions for an intensive and sustainable partnership, for facing regional and European integration challenges and for a strategic vision regarding the unification of the Western Balkans with the European Union.
The conversation between them included a wide range of discussions, the details of which President Begaj announced at the press conference with President Van der Bellen.
President Begaj expressed to his counterpart his gratitude to Austria for its early, continuous and dedicated support in many areas, such as: in the economy, education, tourism, justice reform and in particular in accelerating the European integration process.
"Our relations constitute a partnership that is strengthened day by day", declared President Begaj, emphasizing that Albania and Austria have an excellent political dialogue, share the same strategic interests, while preserving common Euro-Atlantic values: "We must enable these strategic interests to be reflected in joint actions for a future of a developed Albania, an Albania member of the European Union, a secure, peaceful and EU-integrated Western Balkans, and a region far from the influence of third actors".
President Begaj underlined that Albania has moved rapidly in the last two years and is optimistic about opening all group chapters within the year, with the national objective of membership in 2030: "Despite the fact that membership will take its time, for us the process that transforms society, transforms good governance, the economy and brings direct benefits to all our citizens is more important."
President Begaj praised Austria for its commitment to supporting Albania’s future in the EU and also the Austrian leadership for the strategic vision to keep the Western Balkans firmly anchored on the European path. This commitment is also reflected in Austria’s initiation of the diplomatic group “Friends of the Western Balkans”, which is a coalition that aims to strengthen the European Union’s commitment to the region. Such an approach, President Begaj emphasized, will produce regional stability and reduce geopolitical risks from external influences. President Begaj considered the meeting of the European Political Community, which will take place in Tirana on May 16, as important and good news for Albania.
During the Begaj-Van der Bellen meeting, Kosovo was also discussed, for which the President of the Republic conveyed to his counterpart his gratitude for Austria's role and contribution to the independence, strengthening of the new state of Kosovo, for its new recognitions and membership in regional and international organizations.
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