Berisha insists on sustained reform policies toward EU integration

TIRANA, Dec 10 – Southeast Europe is maintaining continuous measured progress towards European integration by carrying out sustained reform policies in the region, according to Prime Minister Sali Berisha and visiting Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Hido Biscevic.
“Albania’s progress on European and the Euro-Atlantic integration path is important not only for the country itself but for the entire Southeast Europe”, said Secretary General Biscevic. “In this context, the country’s constructive contribution to the stabilization and cooperation processes in our region is of key importance.”
During their meeting, Berisha highlighted the importance of preserving European and Euro-Atlantic perspectives for all SEE countries. Thanks to the successful work of the RCC, the time has come for regional cooperation to be brought to a higher strategic level in the most important areas, said Berisha.
“Present financial and economic turmoil in Europe and the world additionally calls for enhanced cooperation in our region and requires a broader, strategic approach when addressing the development needs of SEE,” said Biscevic.
The premier said his country was fully committed to designing and implementing, with other SEE countries, concrete regional projects through the EU’s Multi-Beneficiary Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Programme, especially in the area of energy and infrastructure.
At a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha, Secretary General Biscevic spoke of RCC activities on establishing a permanent cooperation mechanism among the RCC Secretariat, RCC National Coordinators from Southeast Europe, the European Commission and relevant international financial institutions aimed at stimulating development in the region.
Basha underlined the importance of permanent support of the European Commission for the RCC work. He expressed the readiness of Albanian authorities to take part in RCC projects, including the establishment of the South East Europe Regional Fire-Fighting Centre and the Southeastern-Central Europe Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, as well as a project to promote sustainable use and integrated management of the region’s inland waterways.
Basha also asked Biscevic that Kosova become part of the regional roundtables discussing joint projects of development.
Biscevic’s visit was part of a series of political consultations with RCC members from Southeast Europe.
As the successor of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, the RCC is charged with fostering regional cooperation and support European and Euro-Atlantic integration in South Eastern Europe. Its work focuses on six priority areas: economic and social development, energy and infrastructure, justice and home affairs, security cooperation, building human capital, and parliamentary cooperation as an overarching theme. The RCC is based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.