Maasikas: Albania’s integration with the EU strengthens the stability of Europe

Yesterday, during his visit to Albania, the Estonian Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Matti Maasikas, met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Albania Odeta Barbullushi, the Minister for European Integration Klajda Gjosha and the leader of the oppositional Democratic Party Lulzim Basha. Maasikas introduced the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and emphasised that Estonia has always supported and will continue to support EU enlargement.

“The stability of Albania and Western Balkans as a whole and EU integration is important to all of us, both from the perspective of European security and promoting democratic values,” the Deputy Minister said. According to him, Albania has made remarkable progress in recent years, especially in reforming its justice system, but also in guaranteeing fundamental rights, in the fight against corruption and organised crime and in reforming public administration. “To open accession negotiations, Albania has to continue with the reforms to fulfil all key priorities set for opening the negotiations, especially carry out background checks on judges and prosecutors,” emphasised Maasikas. He also stressed the importance of the credibility of Albania's parliamentary elections in June.

One of the priorities of the Estonian presidency is internal and external security, which means close cooperation with countries in the imminent neighbourhood of the EU. According to Maasikas, as the next presidency of the Council of the EU, Estonia is glad to recognise Albania’s full support for the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including its participation in imposing sanctions on Russia because of its aggression in Ukraine. “A unified Europe is necessary for a strong Europe,” Maasikas said. “International law and defence of the European security arrangement have been in the centre of the current policy towards Russia, and both Estonia and Albania win from consolidating these principles and international norms.”

Discussing bilateral relations between Estonia and Albania, Maasikas acknowledged different opportunities for cooperation worth considering. Current cooperation is close, above all, in international organisations, but there are prospects for cooperation in IT, tourism, education and science. A good example is a long-term cooperation with the Estonian e-State Academy which provides an opportunity to share Estonian e-governance experience in Albania.

Deputy Minister Maasikas also gave a lecture at the University of Tirana. He talked about the Estonian EU accession experience, bilateral cooperation and Albania’s European integration progress. Students were mainly interested in future EU enlargement, Estonia’s reform experience and e-success.

Today, Matti Maasikas will meet with the Chairwoman of the Parliament’s European Integration Committee Majlinda Bregu and Vice Speaker Valentina Leskaj.