Tirana wants closer ties with Croatia

TIRANA, March 30 – Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ilir Meta made a visit to Croatia in an effort for more and closer contacts between the two countries.
Last year both Albania and Croatia became new NATO members but Zagreb is much further ahead in the European Union integration process and is likely to become a member in the near future. Tirana has applied for candidate status and is still much behind in the process.
During his visit Meta met with Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor and suggested opening a regular direct airline route between Tirana and Zagreb trying to develop stronger economic ties between the two countries. He also said a joint economic commission should be organized to promote economic cooperation, especially in tourism and construction mentioned as spheres of mutual economic interest.
Kosor said that Croatia and Albania had “good political and friendly relations,” according to a Croatian government press release. Kosor also indicated the possibility of a visit to Tirana in the near future.
Meta also met with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, his counterpart Gordan Jandroković and Parliament Speaker Luka Bebić to discus on regional cooperation and stability, adding that Croatia’s experience in negotiating with the European Union could be of particular benefit to Albania, and anticipated even closer cooperation in this area.