The stability of the Western Balkans is of key importance to the stability of Europe, President Katalin Novák said at a joint press conference with her Albanian counterpart Bajram Begaj in Tirana on Thursday. Therefore, it is very important that the countries of the region join the European Union as soon as possible, Novák said. In this, Hungary plays a mediating role, she added. Other topics discussed during the meeting included the war in Ukraine, action against illegal migration, demographic issues and bilateral economic relations, Novák said. Concerning economic relations, Novák noted that the number of Hungarian investments was substantially increasing in Albania and Hungary was now the 10th biggest foreign investor in the country. Novák invited Bajram Begaj to join the Network of Family-friendly Presidents and to attend the Demographic Summit Budapest will host in September.
Begaj thanked Hungary for its support to Albania’s European integration and expressed his appreciation for Hungary’s commitment to the stability of the Western Balkans, including its participation in the KFOR mission in Kosovo.