Albanian Presidency in Regional Initiatives

Based on its foreign policy priorities, Albania pays special attention to regional cooperation in its entirety. Albania is a proactive and encouraging actor in terms of cooperation in regional organizations. Cooperation within regional initiatives or organizations constitutes an essential element in the EU integration process. Regional economic integration, the strengthening of peace, security, stability and the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the region are also materialized through contributions to regional organizations.

Albania has played and continues to play a moderate and constructive role in all regional initiatives, placing a special emphasis on the principle of inclusiveness. Based on this basic principle of active participation and contribution of all the countries of the region in the process of regional cooperation, the Republic of Albania has supported and will support the inclusion and participation of Kosovo in all multilateral regional activities.

Albania is an active participant in the regional cooperation process and in all regional initiatives such as: South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP); Regional Cooperation Council (RCC); Central European Initiative (CEI); Adriatic Ionian Initiative (AII); Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC); Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees (MARRI); The Berlin Process; The Western Balkans Fund, etc.

The scope of this cooperation aims at increasing and intensifying cooperation between the countries of the region, including political dialogue, expanding the exchange of goods and services, creating a regional network of energy, transport and telecommunications, facilitating the circulation of people, cultures, etc. the strengthening of educational, scientific and cultural ties, the common fight against organized crime, illegal traffic, terrorism, etc.

Approaching European standards through the process of European integration has proven to have a positive impact on relations between the countries of the region, thereby influencing the creation of a better climate and stability in the region. In this context, Albania’s chairmanship of the Berlin Process (January 1 – December 31, 2023) is considered an important achievement, in which our country focused on priorities such as: Transport connectivity within the region and with EU member states; Digitization and the internal market; Energy, as well as energy security and diversification; Mobility, Youth and Higher Education; Trade and implementation of the four freedoms of the single market.

Starting from January 2024, Albania has assumed its role as the future presidency in four regional initiatives, as follows:

Duke filluar nga janari i vitit 2024 Shqipëria ka marrë rolin e saj si presidencë e ardhshme në katër nisma rajonale, si më poshtë:

Presidency of Albania in BSEC

Presidency of Albania in CEI

Presidency of Albania in MARRI

Presidency of Albania in SEECP

Presidency of Albania in EUSAIR