Tirana Times
TIRANA, Dec. 12 – Foreign Minister Edmond Haxhinasto held a three-day visit to the United States invited by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Haxhinasto had a separate meeting with Clinton, where they discussed on issues of bilateral cooperation, developments in the Balkan region, cooperation as two NATO Member States and more.
He also held meetings at the White House and the U.S. Congress. The minister also met with representatives of the Albanian – American Council and also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the coordination of joint event for issues of national interest.
Clinton and Haxhinasto confirmed their countries’ strong bilateral ties. Clinton described Albania as a very close ally of the United States and NATO, one that plays an important role in the region, especially in Kosovo. Regional developments and the processes in Kosovo were discussed, Haxhinasto said.
United States and Albania are two partner countries, according to Clinton.
Haxhinasto said in an interview with the Voice of America the purpose of that meeting was “to reconfirm the extraordinary friendship that exists between Albania and the United States. Furthermore, we discussed issues of our bilateral agenda with regard to increasing the volume of exchanges, mainly the economic ones, as well as on a range of other issues dealing with energy and the region.”
He added, “We talked about Albania’s growing role in meeting challenges as a member of NATO, mainly on Afghanistan and Albania’s contribution there, as well as its future contributions in training Afghan forces to take over security issues there. We also talked about the region, Albania’s contribution and its constructive policy to create a greater integration among the countries in the region. In this meeting it was appreciated Albania’s exceptional contribution to Kosovo as well as the context and climate established in the relations with Serbia.”
Haxhinasto together with counterparts from Southeast Europe also attended the Conference “Perspectives for South East Europe – Austria, Germany and the United States in a Dialogue with Decision – Makers of the Region” held in Berlin upon the Joint Initiative of German and Austran Foreign Ministers in cooperation with the ASPEN Institute from 10 – 11 December 2010. Haxhinasto also met with German counterpart Guido Westervelle whom he thanked for Germany’s unsparing support in the Albania’s process of integration to the EU and the visa liberalization process in the Schengen area, in particular. Haxhinasto invited the German business to boost its presence in Albania.
Westervelle assured for Germany’ support for the integration of all countries of the region in the EU, since Europe cannot be complete without the Balkans countries. He also met with Austrian counterpart Michael Spindeleggerto discuss important issues of the economic cooperation between the two countries.
