According to President Andrzej Duda, who was in Tirana on Thursday to meet with his Albanian colleague Bajram Begaj, who requested Duda to support Kosovo’s NATO membership, Poland supports Albania’s route to EU membership.
Following the discussion with Begaj, Duda held a news conference to outline his country’s aims for when it assumes the EU presidency in the first half of 2025.
“Once again, I clearly and distinctly declared Polish support for Albania’s efforts to join the European Union,” Duda said, adding that after his nation takes over the EU, “we will have a second priority, EU membership for Ukraine and the countries of the Western Balkans, among them Albania.”
He also requested Albania to assist NATO’s efforts to increase its presence on its eastern flank, noting that “this is the most dangerous region of the world where potential aggression is possible, especially with regard to what is happening in Ukraine and Russia’s attitude.”
Duda commended Albania for its support for Ukraine and for its firm stance against Russian aggression.
It is a “senseless aggression that affects all international principles and must now come to an end,” with Russian soldiers withdrawing from Ukrainian territory. Ukraine’s territory should be reclaimed in its entirety. “This is supposed to be the end of the war,” he remarked.
Begaj expressed his gratitude for friendly political relations between the two countries and requested support from Poland in the “eventuality of Kosovo’s accession to NATO”. He suggested that the July NATO summit in Vilnius would be a good opportunity to support Kosovo’s aspirations.
“With the last official visit of a Polish President to our country 20 years ago, it’s an honour to host them and strengthen the bond between our nations,” Begaj said.
He also thanked Poland for its support on Albania’s EU path and added his country unequivocally stands in defence of Ukraine and its independence.
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