Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha participated today in the international conference “The Balkans Meet in Trieste,” organized by the Italian news agency ANSA and the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA), in cooperation with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Central European Initiative (CEI).

The first panel of the conference, entitled “Enlargement, Strategic Communication and Countering Disinformation,” focused on key issues concerning the future of the region and the common European challenges ahead.

In his address, Minister Hoxha stressed that EU enlargement is not merely a transformative political project, but a strategic investment in the security, stability and resilience of both the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole.

“It is a genuine win-win endeavour, bringing benefits to both sides. Albania remains steadfast in its commitment to its European path and to a region firmly anchored within the European family,” said Minister Hoxha.

However, he added, in today’s increasingly complex geopolitical environment, strategic communication has become an integral component of foreign policy.

“Disinformation, foreign interference and information manipulation seek to exploit divisions, erode trust in democratic institutions, and undermine public confidence in democracy and the European project. The closer we get to EU membership, the more we become a target for those who do not share our vision, values or ambitions.

This is precisely why credible journalism and responsible news agencies matter more than ever. Those who gather, verify and disseminate information are among the first lines of defence against manipulation and distortion. Facts, professional journalism and transparent communication remain indispensable tools for strengthening democratic resilience and safeguarding public debate,” declared the Minister.

For Albania, he said, clear and credible public communication about our European choice is a strategic priority.

“This means explaining not only our reforms, progress and achievements, but also the opportunities, responsibilities and long-term benefits that come with EU membership.

Building public trust in this journey is just as important as advancing the journey itself. And in this shared responsibility, each of us has a role to play protecting the truth, upholding facts, and resisting those who seek to manipulate, divide or distort our democratic choices and our European future,” concluded Minister Hoxha.