The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, participated today in the meeting of Foreign Ministers within the framework of the Berlin Process. The Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans, as well as representatives of the EU, participating countries in this process, RCC and RYCO, attended the meeting.
“The countries of the Western Balkans alike EU member states are facing the same challenges in areas of geostrategic importance; therefore they should be treated on an equal footing. This is the reason why the revitalization of the Berlin Process is crucial, along with other initiatives for the implementation of fundamental rights in our region,” said Minister Xhaçka during her speech at the ministerial conference.
At the same time, the Minister appreciated the joint efforts related to the commitment to young people, appreciating the work of RYCO and the empowerment that will come from the creation of the Cultural Fund for Young People. These efforts mark a success story in the region for supporting civil society in the Western Balkans, as well as for strengthening reconciliation and regional youth cooperation.
Minister Xhaçka, in the meeting with her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, expressed gratitude to the German government for the maximum efforts to further regional cohesion, underlining the fact that comprehensive regional cooperation is a fundamental factor helping the countries of the Western Balkans on their path towards EU membership.
The main topics under discussion were energy security, the Green Agenda, the Common Regional Market, reconciliation, and the role of young people, as well as current geopolitical affairs. Among other topics discussed in this meeting was the creation of the Cultural Fund for Young People in the Western Balkans.
Minister Xhaçka also emphasized that Albania considers the Berlin Process as an impetus to advance the EU’s agenda in three main pillars: economic growth and interconnection, good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, as well as the development of civil society and connection between people. She praised the consensus reached for the signing of three agreements in the field of free movement in the region.
