President Stipe Mesic and visiting Albanian counterpart Bamir Topi vowed on Wednesday (May the 20th) to boost bilateral cooperation and strengthen economic ties.
The Albanian president, Bamir Topi, was awarded by his Croatian homologue the highest distinction of the hosting country, the High Order of King Tomislav with Badge and Great Star of Dawn.
“You have given an extraordinary contribute to the development of the Croato-Albanian relations. I am confident that you will continue to strengthen this contribute” – declared president Stipe Mesic as he handed the order to his Albanian counterpart.
As part of Topi’s three-day visit to Croatia, the two leaders met and agreed that after completing NATO accession, EU integration is actually a strategic goal for both countries.
“We are aware of the fact that the road towards the EU is long”, Topi said, pledging Albania will implement all necessary judicial reforms to meet EU standards, report the Croatian media.
The idea of a Balkanic Schengen (free circulation area) was evoked. Albanian media report that Albania that the presidents agreed that the time is ripe for a visa liberalization between the two countries. Albania is reported to have lifted visa request for Croatian citizens since 2002 (Top Channel TV, 21.05.2009).
The Albanian media note that the solidarity between the two countries might have strengthened with their simultaneous entry in NATO. Both countries are now eyeing European Union (EU) integration, though Croatia is expected to be the first of the Balkan states to futurely join the EU.
Croatian media mote that president Mesic, estimated that Croatia’s border dispute with Slovenia has blocked Zagreb’s accession process and was in favor of arbitration to end the row.
