Panariti makes his first visit to Rome

TIRANA, July 9 – Edmond Panariti officially became Albania’s new foreign minister last year and he started his official post with a visit to nearby Rome, Italy to meet with his Italian counterpart Guido Terzi.
Italy is Albania’s main trading partner and a strong supporter along its efforts of integration into the European Union.
Terzi said that Italy is committed to supporting Albania’s EU candidature status in every possible way. Terzi also said, “We believe that this is an objective, and in our countries best interest, to ensure that the European Union confirms Albania’s candidate status, since this country is making significant efforts, also as far as internal policies are concerned, to comply with all the conditions posed by Brussels.”
Panariti mentioned how the Balkan country is making important progress in implementing reforms.
Both ministers discussed on ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and also on spheres of interests.
Terzi said that Panariti’s first visit to Rome while starting the post is a clear example of the excellent ties between the two countries. Those ties are based on the strategic partnership, economic relations, cultural ties and also the role of the Albanian immigrants to Italy.
Panariti also said after the visit that the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano will visit Tirana in the context of the 100th anniversary of independence in Albania.
Panariti also talked with the Italian officials on the TAP gas pipeline project.