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Maas: For Germany, EU enlargement to WB is a strategic interest

Ditmir Bushati and Heiko Maas; Photo: Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania

BERLIN – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati met today with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. The ministers discussed the relations between the two countries, as well as the European integration of the entire region.

Minister Maas emphasised that Albania is an important partner and stability actor. Germany welcomed the undertaken reforms by Albania, considering them as impressive and an example for the region as far as justice reform is concerned. He added that “it is crucial that this path continues”, and called on political actors in Albania to support such important reforms for 2019.

Minister Maas expressed his conviction that the integration of Western Balkans into the European Union is in the interest of the latter in order to avoid the expansion of influence of third party forces, such as Russia and China, in the region.

According to Maas, Germany is “very, very positive about EU’s enlargement to the Western Balakans, because it is convinced that it is a strategic interest of a free Europe”.

“I am positive that people of Western Balkans want to live like people in Europe, not like people in Russia or China”, said Maas, reports Tanjug.

 

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