Minister Bushati meets with President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias

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As part of his visit to Athens, today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati was received in a meeting by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias.

Putting an emphasis on the special attention that the Government of Albania pays to comprehensive relations with Greece, Minister Bushati expressed his appreciation for this country, which has been and remains a strategic partner of Albania. Minister Bushati expressed his confidence on the progress of Greek-Albanian relations, in the best interest of both countries and people, of peace, security and development throughout the region.

Moreover, he assessed the role and valuable contribution of President Papoulias in the development of friendly relations and good neighborliness between the two countries, not only during his office of President of the Hellenic Republic, but continuously, throughout his career, when he served in various high State positions.

During this meeting, the parties clearly expressed their mutual willingness to further advance in the framework of bilateral relations. President Papoulias stated that “the Albanian- Greek bilateral relations are of existential importance to the region." At the same time, President Papoulias reiterated the support of Greece for Albania in its European integration path.

Minister Bushati asked that, as NATO member countries, imported matters to be treated in accordance with the new reality in the region, in the framework of good neighborliness and European affiliation of our two countries. Minister Bushati stated that “we are willing to sit and talk in order to find concrete solutions to issues not yet addressed, which have a direct impact on the lives of citizens and which are of mutual interest to our two countries “.

In this particular year, when neighboring countries and strategic partners like Greece and then Italy hold the EU Presidency,  Minister Bushati praised Greece's commitment to accelerating the European integration of the Western Balkan countries .

Minister Bushati is currently in Greece in the framework of important multilateral activities, the XVI Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Adriatic - Ionian Initiative and the Conference on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). Tomorrow,  Minister Bushati will hold talks with the Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos.