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Lajcak Opens Slovak Embassy in Tirana during Visit to Albania
Friday 22 January 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Tirana, January 22 (TASR) - Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha expressed thanks to Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak for Slovakia's provision of assistance after the devastating floods that hit Albania at the beginning of this year, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Peter Stano told TASR on Friday.
Slovakia last week delivered humanitarian aid worth €100,000 to the country. Lajcak on Thursday left for Albania for a two-day visit in order to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and to open a Slovak embassy in the capital Tirana.
"I believe that this visit will initiate intensive co-operation, because although we don't have any outstanding or problematic issues between us, our relations are not intensive," Lajcak conceded after negotiations with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta, Parliamentary Chair Jozefina Topalli and Premier Berish.
During his visit, Lajcak was met by Albanian President Bamir Topi, with whom he officially opened the new Slovak embassy. On this occasion, Albanian state representatives assured Lajcak that they are about to do the same in Bratislava within a year.
In a discussion concerning Albania's preparedness to become an EU member, Lajcak offered Slovakia's experience with the pre-accession process and declared Slovakia's willingness to assist. Berisha described Slovakia as a convincing example of how to succeed in meeting of pre-accession requirements – an inspiration for his country.
The diplomats also discussed the current problematic dispute between Air Slovakia airlines and Albanian Airlines concerning the agreed working arrangement between the two airlines. They concluded that this is a business matter of two commercial subjects (albeit with state investment involved). Lajcak expressed his expectation that the situation will be solved in a standard way and in accordance with European laws.
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