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The stability of the Western Balkans is a guarantee of stability for Europe, said Hungarian President Katalin Novák at a press conference with Albanian President Bajram Begaj in Tirana on Thursday. She emphasized that this is why it is of the utmost importance for the countries of the Western Balkans to join the European Union as soon as possible, adding that Hungary will play a mediating and facilitating role in this process.
The Hungarian President said that during her talks with the President of Albania, the two sides also discussed the Russian-Ukrainian war, the fight against illegal migration, demographic issues, and economic relations between the two countries.
Katalin Novák stressed that the countries of the Western Balkans can count on Hungary in the process of European integration. She emphasized that stability is the key in the Western Balkans, as this is a region where the situation can easily escalate, citing the recent clashes in Kosovo as an example.
President Katalin Novák and President Bajram Begaj. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
She underlined that
Hungary stresses in all forums that Albanian integration must be completed as soon as possible so that the country can become a full member of the European Union.
At the press conference, Albanian President Bajram Begaj expressed his gratitude for Hungary’s support for Albania’s European integration. Speaking about regional cooperation, he said he appreciated Hungary’s commitment to the stability of the Western Balkans region, including the contribution of military personnel in Kosovo as part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission.
On the first day of her official visit to Albania, Novák also visited the plenary session of the Albanian Parliament, where she delivered a welcome speech.
The Hungarian President in the Albanian Parliament. Photo: MTI/Illyés Tibor
She stressed the importance of stability in the region and EU integration and said that Europe’s future weight, its ability to maintain the economic, political, and demographic power it has in the world today, depends on its ability to respond wisely, to find and maintain the path to peace, security, and prosperity.
The Hungarian Head of State recalled that she was visiting Albania for the first time and considered it a great honor to be there on an official state visit. “We respect each other, we understand each other, and we support each other,” she said, describing the relations between Albania and Hungary.
Featured photo via MTI/Illyés Tibor