Starting on January 1, 2024, Albania will temporarily assume the one-year presidency of the US-Adriatic Charter Partnership Commission (A-5).

During the A-5 ministerial meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia, Igli Hasani, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, emphasized the necessity to cease blocking Kosovo’s membership within the A-5.

“Kosovo’s membership has been significantly delayed. We have consistently and wholeheartedly supported Kosovo’s inclusion in our initiative, and it’s regrettable that this membership remains blocked. Throughout our presidency, our primary focus will be on expeditiously resolving this issue,” he stated.

During the press conference marking the handover of the presidency from North Macedonia to Albania, Minister Hasani acknowledged and appreciated the pivotal role of the A-5 Charter in the regional countries’ endeavors towards complete Euro-Atlantic integration.

“We have supported RMV’s initiative to revitalize the A-5 and aim to expand upon it during our presidency. Additionally, we are committed to tailoring the Charter to effectively address our collective responses to prevailing security threats and challenges,” he mentioned.

When questioned about the integration process of Albania and North Macedonia, Minister Hasani remarked that “both countries have undertaken commendable collaborative efforts, emphasizing that the region’s journey toward EU integration should not encounter hindrances due to uncertainties or ambiguities.”

The US-Adriatic Charter is a regional security and political initiative that was initially established during the NATO Summit in Prague in November 2002. It was agreed upon by the presidents of Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, and the USA. Later, it expanded to include Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Kosovo, Slovenia, and Serbia were granted observer status within the Charter.

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