The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini paid a visit to Tirana.

The reforms’ progress undertaken by the government to fulfill key priorities for opening accession negotiations, as well as the coordination of joint efforts to deal with challenges faced by the security environment in the continent, were among the main issues discussed at the meeting.

Mrs. Mogherini was introduced to the latest developments in the process of state-building reforms, which are closely related to the European integration process. The Albanian side underlined its willingness and determination to conclude the justice reform, based upon the Opinion of the Venice Commission, as a crucial link in the process of Albania's modernizing transformation.

Moreover, EU High Representative Mogherini praised the commitment of the Albanian government in the reform process and highlighted the contribution of these reforms to an efficient process of European integration. She highly appreciated the active and constructive role of Albania in the region, in fully aligning its foreign policy with that of the EU, as well as our country's contribution in facing security challenges.

While discussing security challenges and the refugee crisis facing the EU and Western Balkan countries, parties highlighted the need for such moments to enhance cooperation between the EU and our region, thus serving the consolidation of the democratic process and security in our continent.

Furthermore, parties emphasized Albania's determination to play an active role in strengthening cooperation between regional countries. In this context, they focused on Albania’s initiative for holding a meeting of Western Balkans’ Foreign Ministers in Tirana, with the participation of Commissioner Hahn, as another step in boosting cooperation in the framework of the Berlin Process.

With a view to further strengthening cooperation between Albania and the EU in the field of security, Minister Bushati and High Representative Mogherini signed the 'Agreement between the European Union and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information. This agreement allows for Albanian ministries and state institutions to enter into an agreement which includes the exchange of classified information with the European Union, in the highest levels of security classification. The signing of this agreement is an important step in intensifying EU - Albanian cooperation in the field of security.