Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday held talks in Tirana with his Albanian counterpart as the country aspires to join the European Union.

According to the Polish foreign ministry, Czaputowicz’s working visit to Albania confirms that Poland wants good bilateral trade and defence ties.

“It also proves our appreciation for Albania’s successful efforts to open accession negotiations with the European Union,” the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement.

A report by the European Commission on the future enlargement of the bloc released last month "contains an unconditional recommendation for the member states to open accession negotiations with Albania, which Poland strongly supports,” the ministry said.

During his visit, Czaputowicz and Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati were set to jointly open a conference during which Poland will share its experience of preparing to join the European Union, which it did in 2004.

Poland hopes the conference will help Albania adopt European Union standards, the Polish foreign ministry said.

Czaputowicz is also set to speak at the Albanian Institute for International Studies about Polish and European Union policies towards the Western Balkans.

He will also meet Albanian President Ilir Meta and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Last month, Rama said that denying Albania the prospect of one day becoming a European Union member could fuel Muslim radicalisation in the Balkan country, thus endangering regional stability, according to reports.

Albania has been an official candidate for accession to the European Union since June 2014 and is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU. (vb/pk)

Source: MSZ, Reuters, FT