During the proceedings of the UN General Assembly, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ditmir Bushati attended the working breakfast of the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). The ministers discussed the implementation of the Regional Economic Zone, the prospect of EU integration in the Western Balkans and the political and economic situation in the region.

In his remarks, Minister Bushati stressed the direct link between the consolidation of the rule of law and the secure environment for economic development in the region and underlined the necessity for political will to remove the barriers that hinder interconnection in the Western Balkans region. In this context, Minister Bushati paid special attention to the necessity of including all the countries of the region in the telephone connection map, as well as to the implementation of our commitments to open border check points and to facilitate the movement among the citizens of the region. The head of the Albanian diplomacy recalled the Sofia Summit statement, which underlines the importance of a single market for the Western Balkans.

Minister Bushati was also present at the Transatlantic Dinner of the foreign ministers of NATO members, EU and partner countries, organized by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Discussions focused on security issues and the challenges that our societies face.

During his stay in New York, Minister Ditmir Bushati held a meeting with the Foreign Minister of El Salvador, Carlos Castaneda and the Foreign Minister of Qatar, Jassim Al-Thani. The ministers discussed the current stage and prospects for strengthening of relations between the countries, as well as about Albania’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023.

Minister Bushati and Minister Castaneda signed an agreement on visa liberalization for Albanian citizens. The agreement aims at facilitating the movement between the two states and it will serve to further boost and strengthen relations between the two countries in all areas of common interest; at times when global economic dynamics have reduced geographical distances. Thus increasing opportunities for mutually beneficial exchanges even with remote places like El Salvador, with which we have never had such relationships before.