The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, participated in the Ministerial Meeting on countering the resurgence of political terrorism, convened by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., United States of America.

At the Ministerial Meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries, Minister Hoxha emphasized that “political extremism and the use of violence to achieve political objectives constitute a direct attack on democracy itself.”

“Albania’s position is clear: in a democracy, there is neither place nor justification for violence as a political tool. Our history reminds us of this very risk. Once a brutal communist dictatorship living in a world without light and hope, today, as a determined democracy, a committed NATO Ally, a candidate country for soon joining the European Union, and a close partner of the United States, Albania knows the price of freedom and the importance of protecting the democratic values achieved through great effort,” stated Minister Hoxha.

According to the Minister, it is necessary to strengthen democratic resilience, combat foreign information manipulation and interference, and address state-sponsored threats, including malicious cyberattacks. Minister Hoxha highlighted Iran’s ongoing cyberattacks against Albania.

“Facing persistent cyber and hybrid attacks from Iran, Albania has developed significant resilience and capabilities, an area where continued vigilance and sustained investment remain essential,” he stated.

For the Minister of Foreign Affairs, international cooperation is indispensable.

“In today’s interconnected world, no country is immune. Democracies speak the same language. Therefore, they must cooperate more closely, share information, exchange best practices, and mobilize all available tools to address common challenges that threaten our security, our institutions, and our democratic way of life,” Minister Hoxha concluded.