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Visit/Spiropali in Athens on Tuesday: 360-degree talks on issues at the table between Albania and Greece
2025-12-14 15:21:32 / POLITIKË
Ahead of her official visit to Athens next Tuesday, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, gave an interview to the Greek newspaper TA NEA this weekend.
Asked about the agenda of issues she will address with her Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis, the minister emphasized that "I am coming to Athens to discuss 360 degrees, about everything."
"For our very long list, I emphasize, very long, of cooperation and strengths, but also for areas where we can improve. For Albania, Greece is a strategic partner, a neighbor of exceptional importance, and our will is to move forward in the spirit of close cooperation, friendship and European values. Our relations are already very close.
However, I believe that they can be expanded to strategic areas such as energy, especially renewable energy and regional energy security, environmental protection, digital transformation, tourism, security and many others," said Spiropali.
The priority, according to her, is to open a new chapter, the best chapter so far in relations between Albania and Greece.
Spiropali was asked what the next steps could be for the still unresolved issue between Greece and Albania regarding the delimitation of maritime zones.
According to her, Albania remains strongly committed to resolving all outstanding issues with Greece, including the delimitation of maritime zones and agreements related to some aspects of the land border, in accordance with international law and respecting the principles of good neighborly relations.
"In the period ahead, both sides must continue to strengthen open channels of communication to ensure that the way forward remains constructive, in mutual respect and in line with the shared European aspirations of our two countries," said Spiropali.
Regarding the assistance that Greece can provide to Albania on the path towards European integration during 2027, when the neighboring country will take over the EU Presidency, Spiropali underlined that "our expectation is that Greece will use its voice and political weight to advance the idea of a common European space in our region, where Greece and the Western Balkans are treated as a strategic whole, not as separate peripheries."
"We believe that, under Greek leadership, the Western Balkans will remain at the top of the European agenda, in the enlargement process, in connectivity, in energy and in security, not as a side note alongside other priorities, but as an essential investment in the stability and future of Europe itself," she said.
Integration, according to Spiropal, will be beneficial for all parties involved.
“In my humble opinion, I believe it will be a victory for Greece as well. I believe it is in the best interest of Greece and the Greek citizens to have a wider European space on their borders, where they can interact, engage, cooperate and grow together. This way they will have a stronger European partner on their border. At the moment, Bulgaria is Greece’s only neighbor that is a member of the EU. The creation of a second trade, energy, transport and digital connectivity corridor, extending from Greece through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and further into the heart of Europe, would bring additional benefits to all our countries, including Greece.”
In the interview, Spiropali also focused on strengthening cooperation that supports the well-being of our diaspora, including facilitating administrative procedures, as well as creating stronger educational and cultural opportunities for their children.
Among them is the introduction of the Albanian language as an elective subject in Greek schools.
"Both governments are also working intensively to finalize a bilateral agreement on social security, which will guarantee the fair recognition of pensions and contributions for our citizens, protecting their working years and their future," said Foreign Minister Spiropali.
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