Hoxha: Advancement of cross-border projects with Montenegro, priority is the Podgorica-Hani i Hotit railway
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, today underlined the importance of advancing cross-border projects with Montenegro, such as the bridge project over the Buna River and the Podgorica-Hani i Hotit railway.
In a joint press statement, following the meeting in Tirana with the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Foreign Minister of Montenegro, Ervin Ibrahimović, the Albanian chief diplomat praised the cooperation with the neighboring country as partner countries and allies in NATO.
"We are thinking of reactivating an important mechanism, such as the intergovernmental meeting. Of course, at the right moment when we have the necessary elements to go further, to do more and to take our relations to a higher level. This is an important mechanism to advance with important economic, infrastructure and connectivity projects," said Hoxha.
The Minister highlighted the importance of advancing cross-border projects, which, according to him, "directly impact the sustainable development and well-being of citizens on both sides of the border."
In this context, Hoxha emphasized that "we will commit to giving impetus to priority projects such as the opening of the Zogaj-Skje joint border crossing, the advancement of the bridge project over the Buna River, and the Podgorica-Hani i Hotit railway."
The Minister also focused on the role of Albanians in Montenegro and the Montenegrin minority in Albania, whom he described as "strong bridges between the two countries and a priceless asset of our relations."
"Albania remains steadfast that the Montenegrin minority enjoys all rights guaranteed by national and international law, just as we hope that the Albanian community in Montenegro will continue to have fair and proportional representation in public institutional and administrative life," said Hoxha.
Focusing on regional cooperation, Hoxha emphasized that "Albania highly values the close cooperation with Montenegro and the constructive role that both our countries play in strengthening peace, stability and security in the Western Balkans."
"We are committed to building bridges not only over the Buna River, but bridges of understanding, reconciliation and cooperation in the region, with the vision of a more interconnected, more prosperous and barrier-free Western Balkans. No one can build the future by looking to the past. Our region, least of all. Our European future, individual and collective, is built by looking ahead with vision and foresight, as both our countries are doing," said Hoxha.
In this context, he underlined that regional cooperation, the implementation of the Growth Plan, and keeping the European Union enlargement process at the center of strategic attention remain essential for the future of our countries and our entire region.
While praising Montenegro's significant progress in negotiations with the European Union, Hoxha stated that "every success of Montenegro on the path to EU membership is good news for the entire region and an important contribution to strengthening the European perspective of the Western Balkans."
"Albania and Montenegro are today considered by others as vanguard countries of the enlargement process, a merit-based process, where the main measure remains the concrete progress and quality of the reforms undertaken. For Albania, progress on the path towards the European Union is assessed on the basis of tangible results, sustained commitment and the ability to meet the standards and obligations resulting from the process in which we are engaged for the European future", added Hoxha.
The Minister assured that the two countries will continue to closely coordinate positions, exchange experience and expertise, and support each other in fulfilling the obligations of the negotiations, with the aim of soon sitting together as two new members at the European Union table.
Energy complaints and requests - ERE: Changes in contracts and billing top the list
Over 125 thousand complaints and requests were registered during 2025 by electricity consumers with the Universal Service Provider and Distribution System......
IBAR, at the working group of ambassadors of EU countries - Gogu: Criminal Amnesty will happen, it is under assessment by the EC
In a statement to the media, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu stated that the process known as IBAR, the Intermediate Milestone Assessment Report, has now moved......
Banking system, towards European standards - BoA Draft Law/ Stricter supervision and measures against cyber attacks
The banking system in Albania is expected to face a series of important changes, aimed at strengthening financial security, protecting citizens' savings, and......
263 million euros in unpaid employee insurance - Businesses will be forgiven 30 million euros if they repay them within the year
Businesses that have not paid their employees' social security contributions for years will have the opportunity to be relieved of any fines or late payment......
Kosovo-Albania, who visits whom more? March figures, Kosovo Albanians dominate tourism between the two countries
Not only during the summer and long weekends, but Kosovo Albanians are continuing to keep tourism in Albania alive throughout the year, while March confirmed......
The new school calendar for the year 2026–2027 is published/ Holidays, exams and Matura, pre-university education dates revealed
The official structure of the 2026–2027 school year for the pre-university education system in Albania has been published. According to the joint order of the......
From prosperity to decline - What is really happening to jobs in Germany?
Germany is facing a paradox. While it has warned of a labor shortage for years, unemployment is rising dangerously. Europe's largest economy, for decades an......
Wind energy, 70 applications for power plants - AKBN: Interest from investors, areas with high potential
While our country still has no wind farms in operation, data from the National Agency for Natural Resources shows that interest in investments has increased.......
