TIRANA, Jan.21- The threat of violent extremism and the refugee crisis were the focus of discussions between the foreign ministers of Italy, Albania, and Serbia at the second tripartite meeting held in Tirana on Wednesday.
“Terrorism is a joint concern for all three governments, and we are all seriously committed against it by approving tougher laws,” declared Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. The Italian foreign minister described Albania as a positive model with regards to religious harmony and also as a country which is seriously committed in the fight against radicalism, making Albania a key stability factor in the region.
Gentiloni also spoke of the risk that the Schengen area faces as several European countries have re-established border controls threatening freedom of movement, one of the pillars of the European Union. “Decisions regarding borders have to be taken collectively; otherwise there is the risk of a domino effect,” Gentiloni added.
Meanwhile, the Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati and his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic reconfirmed their commitment to further intensify bilateral cooperation, pointing out the need to sign agreements reached in principle in the fields of economic development, higher education, as well as the citizens’ free movement.
