Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “The Balkans Meet in Trieste” on Wednesday.
The Italian news agency ANSA and the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) organized the conference. The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Central European Initiative (CEI) also supported the event.
The first panel focused on “Enlargement, Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation.” During the discussion, Hoxha addressed the region’s future and its shared European challenges.
Hoxha said EU enlargement goes beyond a political project. He described it as a strategic investment in security, stability, and resilience across the Western Balkans and Europe.
“It is a genuine win-win effort that benefits both sides. Albania remains firmly committed to its European path and to a region strongly anchored within the European family,” Hoxha said.
However, Hoxha noted that today’s complex geopolitical environment has made strategic communication an essential part of foreign policy.
He warned that disinformation, foreign interference, and information manipulation can exploit divisions. They can also weaken trust in democratic institutions and reduce public confidence in democracy and the European project.
“As we move closer to EU membership, we increasingly become a target for those who do not share our vision, values, or ambitions,” Hoxha said.
Therefore, he stressed the importance of reliable journalism and responsible news agencies.
“Those who collect, verify, and distribute information are among the first lines of defense against manipulation and distortion. Facts, professional journalism, and transparent communication remain essential tools for strengthening democratic resilience and protecting public debate,” Hoxha said.
For Albania, Hoxha described clear and reliable public communication about the country’s European choice as a strategic priority.
This means explaining more than reforms, progress, and results. It also means explaining the opportunities, responsibilities, and long-term benefits of EU membership.
Meanwhile, Hoxha stressed that building public trust is as important as advancing the integration process itself.
“Each of us has a role to play in this shared responsibility. We must protect the truth, support facts, and resist those who seek to manipulate, divide, or distort our democratic choices and our European future,” Hoxha concluded.
/a.c/
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