Milanović: Albania can count on Croatia's support

Albania can count on Croatia’s support as it continues EU accession negotiations, President Zoran Milanović said after meeting with Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Elisa Spiropali in Zagreb on Monday.

Milanović reiterated that Albania should join the EU as soon as possible, adding that the country arguably should already be a member. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and regional cooperation, the President’s Office reported.

Spiropali later met with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman to discuss economic cooperation and Albania’s EU accession efforts.

“EU accession is our strategic national objective. It is not only the government that is committed, but also the public. According to the latest Eurobarometer poll, 92 percent of Albanians support EU integration — the highest level of support in the region,” Spiropali said at a joint press conference with Grlić Radman.

Grlić Radman praised Albania’s efforts, saying, “We have never had a single open issue with Albania. We see Albania as a leader on the European path. Albania deserves our respect and our strong support.”

Last week, Tirana opened its final negotiating cluster and hopes to join the EU by 2030.