TIRANA, April 30 – Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed strong support for Albania’s European Union path during a joint appearance in Tirana with Albania’s Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and counterparts from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where she framed EU enlargement as a strategic investment for Europe rather than a concession to candidate countries.
Referring to previous enlargement rounds, she argued that member states had already benefited through export growth and job creation, while she added that Albania’s accession could generate similar gains and contribute to Europe’s long-term security and prosperity.
Against this backdrop, she called on Albania to maintain reform momentum, placing particular emphasis on strengthening the rule of law and intensifying efforts against corruption, as she underlined that progress at this stage depends on consistent implementation across institutions.
At the same time, she stressed that responsibility also lies with the European Union, arguing that the bloc must deliver tangible results and uphold its commitments, while she voiced support for gradual integration steps designed to produce visible benefits for citizens and businesses.
Turning to economic cooperation, Meinl-Reisinger highlighted the importance of institutional trust and predictable rules, adding that reforms should translate into concrete improvements in daily life rather than remain formal commitments.
She also noted that Austria ranks among the leading investors in Albania, pointing in this context to plans for the country’s first wind energy park, a project expected to supply electricity to thousands of households while creating new jobs and further strengthening bilateral economic ties.
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