Nicosia: Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani, expressed gratitude for Cyprus’ support for Albania’s EU accession process, during a meeting he had Monday with the President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou. Hasani is paying Cyprus a working visit and he had talks with Cyprus FM Constantinos Kombos and was received by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President of the Parliament noted that the visit is an opportunity to discuss prospects for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation. Referring to the Cyprus issue, Demetriou appreciated Albania’s firm position and expressed hope that the expanded meeting next July will pave the way for the resumption of substantive talks towards a solution and reunification of the island, in accordance with UN resolutions. Demetriou emphasized that Turkey’s cooperation is essential to achieve a solution beneficial for Cyprus, the wider region, and Europe.
She congratulated Albania’s FM on the progress achieved in its EU accession process and reaffirmed Cyprus’ support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, underlining the importance of regional commitment to this goal. Albania’s Minister Hasani expressed gratitude for Cyprus’ support and informed the President of the Parliament about the progress of negotiations. He reaffirmed Albania’s position for a Cyprus solution based on UN resolutions and expressed readiness to provide assistance.
During the meeting, they exchanged views on mutual interests, including migration. Demetriou informed Hasani about Cyprus’ efforts to manage large numbers of migrants and referred to Turkey’s role in the issue. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, with repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks failing to yield results. The latest negotiations in July 2017 at Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres announced an informal meeting on Cyprus in July, following a similar meeting in Geneva in March. The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process.