On Europe Day, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, participated in an open discussion with ambassadors of EU countries in Albania, regarding the common response of Albania and the EU to the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Minister Xhaçka stressed that on this day, Albanians not only celebrate Europe, but above all their dream to become part of it.

Minister Xhaçka expressed gratefulness for everything that the EU has done for Albania and the region, while emphasizing the need for a more strategic EU approach to the region.

“Albania is playing an important role in the global diplomatic arena, in the Security Council where it is making an active and substantial contribution in support of Ukraine. We deserve to have a clear European perspective, these young people who are here today deserve to live in the EU just like their peers in the member states and not have to wait for decades and decades with an EU that remains as a vision that never approaches the horizon, as unfortunately is the case of my generation “, said Minister Xhaçka in her speech.

The ambassadors of EU countries to Albania, as well as the Ambassador of Ukraine, Volodymyr Shukrov, were also part of the high-level panel. They expressed solidarity with Ukraine and its people, while expressing their gratitude for the contribution and support that Albania has shown to Ukraine. They also unanimously praised the continuous progress that Albania has made in terms of the EU integration process.