Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman 7 October 2019 received Albanian Foreign Minister Gent Cakaj, who was on an official visit to Croatia.
The two officials underlined the traditionally excellent bilateral relations between Croatia and Albania, which the two countries will continue to work on in the spirit of good neighbourliness and in accordance with the strategic partnership statement signed this year by prime ministers Andrej Plenković and Edi Rama.
Grlić Radman and Cakaj highlighted their countries’ partnership and alliance in NATO and numerous multilateral forums and regional initiatives.
The two ministers talked about Albania’s European journey. Grlić Radman reiterated Croatia’s strong support for Albania’s EU aspirations and the opening of accession talks. He added that Croatia would insist during its presidency that the enlargement policy remain high on the EU's agenda and be based on individual merits. In that context, he announced that Zagreb would host an EU-Western Balkans in May the following year.
Grlić Radman reflected on the support the Quadrilateral (Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia and Romania) underscored at the UNGA 74 for the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania on Croatia’s initiative.
The Croatian minister also announced the traditional meeting of the Trilateral (Albania, Montenegro and Croatia) before the end of the year.
Grlić Radman congratulated his counterpart Cakaj on chairing the US-Adriatic Charter and wished Albania success in chairing the OSCE in 2020.