Estonia: Põlluaas assured the President of Albania of Estonia’s support to Albania’s EU prospects

NordenBladet — At the meeting with President of Albania Ilir Meta today, President of the Riigikogu Henn Põlluaas expressed support to Albania’s efforts to open accession negotiations with the European Union.

“Estonia strongly supports the opening of accession negotiations between the European Union and Albania. Further enlargement of the European Union is important to the stability of the Western Balkan region and the security of the whole Europe,” Põlluaas said. “Albania has good prospects of becoming a member state of the European Union in the future if the country meets the accession criteria. Estonia is ready to share its experience in this field.”

Põlluaas thinks that it is welcome that already now Albania has joined several European Union initiatives, like supporting the sanctions against Russia. As a member of NATO, Albania also contributes to the common security of Europe and has sent its troops to serve with the allied forces in Ādaži in Latvia.

“The relations between Albania and Estonia are excellent, but we could enhance primarily economic and trade relations,” Põlluaas said. “Estonia’s companies are interested in going to the Albanian market, and Albania is also an interesting but so far little known travel destination for the Estonians. And all Albanian tourists are welcome in Estonia.”

At the meeting, Põlluaas expressed his happiness that in spite of the earthquake that hit Albania a week ago, the President of Albania could make his first visit to Estonia. The President of the Riigikogu hopes that Albania will recover from the consequences of the earthquake soon.

Põlluaas thanked Albania for its support to Estonia at the elections of the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and assured that Estonia would support the candidacy of Albania for 2022–2023.

The President of Albania was interested in Estonia’s experience in e-governance and cyber issues, and gave an overview of the political situation in the Western Balkan region and the impact of the trends of the globalising world.

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Enn Eesmaa, who also participated in the meeting, underlined the good relations between the two countries and expressed hope that relations at the parliamentary level would become closer.

Source: Parliament of Estonia