Within the NATO Summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras. The two foreign ministers Bushati and Kotzias also attended the meeting.

The two prime ministers underlined the nature and strategic importance of the Albanian-Greek relations, and the role of friendship between the two peoples as a bridge of peace and stability in the prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the region.

The two prime ministers discussed the progress of bilateral relations, and expressed their support to the initiative of two Foreign Ministers for a mechanism of intense consultations with the aim of finding solutions to the problems inherited from the past, as well as for promoting further these relations.

The parties underlined the special role of the Albanian community in Greece, and praised the important steps undertaken for the social and economic integration of the Albanians in Greece.

Prime Minister Rama emphasized the need to progress towards finding solutions to existing disagreements between the two countries, while respecting the best European and international law practices. “Greece has supported us, and we want it to continue to be a strong supporter of Albania’s EU membership process”, Mr Rama said.

Prime Minister Tsipras expressed Greece’s strong support for Albania’s state-consolidation reforms, and the importance he gives to the respect of the rights of the Greek minority in our country.

The parties agreed that only by finding concrete solutions with a direct impact on the welfare of both peoples, the two states will be able to strengthen mutual trust and part from the conflicting rhetoric and stalemates of the past.