Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the “Friends of the Western Balkans” group and the Foreign Ministries of the Western Balkans, emphasized the need for a new approach to the region with a particular focus on the economy.

According to the Albanian chief diplomat, economic convergence is the tool that enables the region to promote economic integration before moving towards eventual political integration as the final step in the process. The focus of the meeting was the deepening of cooperation to expedite the European integration process of the Western Balkans, as well as the role and contribution of the private sector in advancing this cause.

Minister Igli Hasani is in Italy, invited by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Antonio Tajani.

The Friends of the Western Balkans group, established in 2023, brings together Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Greece, and Slovenia. The group was created to increase the European Union’s attention to the Western Balkans region and expedite the integration process.

“The Western Balkans region is a priority for Italy. We share deep historical ties and want to further resume cooperation in all sectors, starting with the economic one,” said Tajani. “Our approach to the region’s challenges is open, comprehensive, and based on dialogue.”

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated the importance of Balkan stability and the need to encourage joint actions to address, more effectively, the fight against irregular migration, the fight against human trafficking, and the criminal organizations managing it. Tajani also highlighted that upcoming engagements, particularly the EU-Western Balkans Summit to be held in Brussels in December, present an opportunity to discuss giving new impetus to the European enlargement process with a specific time horizon.

“The government attaches great importance to the European integration of the Western Balkans. We are committed to accelerating this process through gradual integration measures,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

/k.s/