Statement by the Prime Minister Edi Rama before the Summit:

Good afternoon everyone,

Albania has not been affected yet. We believe that with winter coming, a new flow diverts to Albania. Anyway, the reason why we are here has to do with the need to coordinate at regional and European level.

Undoubtedly, Albania has its role at a moment so delicate and so important for what we are and what we will be tomorrow, all together, as Europeans.

Thanks!

 

***

The aim was to create a cross-border regional approach to the crisis management, through increased coordination and consultation among countries, in order to avoid a looming humanitarian disaster along the transit route.

Prime Minister Rama attended the meeting alongside the leaders of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Sweden.

Prime Minister Rama expressed Albania’s willingness to be part of the solution schemes in the region to fulfill the role of Albania as an EU candidate country, embracing and strongly supporting European values in facing this crisis. Prime Minister Rama expressed Albania’s readiness to implement operating measures agreed upon within a joint action EU plan for managing the refugee crisis.

Attendees in the meeting adopted a joint statement containing 17 operational points ranging from the obligation to exchange information on a regular basis for cash and needs, the obligation to provide prior information about the movement of refugees on the borders of a neighboring country, the provision of shelters along the Balkan route for refugees on the move, efficient management of flows through registration, returns and increase cooperation for the implementation of readmission agreements with third countries, and effective border management.