On April 20, Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and also participated in a signing ceremony of the declaration of the U.S.-Albania Strategic Partnership with Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland.
The Partnership aims to deepen and broaden our strong and growing partnership across a broad spectrum of mutual priorities, including security, rule of law, energy, and people-to-people exchanges. Secretary Kerry highlighted cooperation between the United States and Albania on counterterrorism and countering ISIL in the Balkan region.
Albania has made significant contributions to regional and global security in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and in Iraq, contributing to NATO’s Cyber Defense Trust Fund for Ukraine, and to the implementation of NATO’s Substantial Package for Georgia. Minister Bushati also met separately with Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Sarah Sewall to discuss Albania’s leading role as a U.S. partner on Countering Violent Extremism in the region.
On May 19-21, Albania will host a regional Countering Violent Extremism Summit in Tirana, as a follow-on to the White House’s Countering Violent Extremism Summit in February.Albania is also leading Europe in economic dynamism with 3.4 percent GDP growth since 2008.The United States is working to kick-start trade and investment between Albania and the United States. Regionally, the U.S. supports Albania’s accession to the European Union as soon as possible. On energy security, the United States sees Albania as an important part of the solution, particularly with regard to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline.
The United States supports Albania as it reforms its judiciary and prosecution systems, collaborating together in the fight against corruption and organized crime, and assisting and strengthening local government and public administration.
As Foreign Minister Bushati said, “Beyond security and defense, we are now focusing on [the]economy, energy security, human rights, science, education, and much more. I’m happy to say that through the signature of this document, we are bringing our relationship to another level. A close and dynamic strategic partnership can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries and nations.”
The United States looks forward to continuing to strengthen its cooperation with Albania in the years to come.
