SEECP meeting discuss strengthening regional ties

TIRANA, Jan. 30 – The informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) was held in Budva, Montenegro to discuss on their efforts of integration into the European Union and also their cooperation
Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto expressed the will of the Albanian Government for good – neighborly relations and for the full-fledged cooperation with the countries of the region. He noted the role of the SEECP, as the central instrument of this policy of cooperation, regional integration and harmonization with the European Union and NATO.
Haxhinasto also hailed the notable progress of the countries of the region and highlighted some of the areas in which this cooperation should be more concrete, based on joint regional projects, such as road infrastructure, energy, fight against organized crime, corruption, and others.
Haxhinasto said that the free movement of citizens of all countries in the region would help also their cooperation and considered that not only an expression of political will to deepen regional cooperation and interaction, but also an important element of regional integration.
The minister also said that the inclusion of Kosovo in the SEECP regional initiative has a direct impact on regional stability and security and on the prospect of integrating the Western Balkans into the EU. He said Kosovo was the only missing piece of regional cooperation, without which it could not give the results expected from all member countries.
Haxhinasto held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, and others to discuss on concrete issues of strengthening cooperation, both in the bilateral and multilateral level. He also talked over developments in the region, the situation in Albania, and other things.