Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Ilir Meta of Albania discussed bilateral Finnish–Albanian relations and Western Balkan regional issues during their meeting on 2 March.
“The meeting has seen relations between Finland and Albania entering a new stage,” Meta said during the ministers’ press conference at Katajanokan Kasino.
Aside from bilateral relations, questions pertaining to Albania's rapprochement with the EU and visa liberalization were also discussed. “Twenty years ago Albania was the most isolated country in Europe, but now we have joined NATO and are proceeding towards the European Union,” Meta stated.
“We are strong supporters of EU enlargement. It is important to get the Albanian membership process going which, however, requires the continuation of reforms,” Stubb said. “Matters are progressing in the right direction,” he continued.
Both ministers were pleased with the meeting. Meta hoped that Stubb would come to Albania for a visit as soon as possible. “Albania is one of the most beautiful countries of the Mediterranean region,” Meta stated.
Albania became a member of NATO in February 2009 and applied for membership of the EU in April 2009.
