TIRANA, January 19 – The Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, who is on an official visit to Portugal at the invitation of the Speaker of the Assembly, Augosto Santos Silva met him on Thursday and held talks.
She thanked Portugal for its strong support to Albania’s European integration, in particular during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council in 2021. Minister Cravinho was the first Foreign Minister to visit Albania after the opening of membership negotiations.
Nikolla expressed her gratitude to Portugal for helping to cope with the consequences of the earthquake of November 26, 2019.
Speaker Nikolla appreciated Portugal’s approach to the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU and the care for the preparation of EU institutions before accepting new members.
In addition Nikolla appreciated the existence of the Church of Laçi, dedicated to the Portuguese saint, Saint Anthony, as a common element that brings the two peoples closer. The Church of Shna Ndou is a place of pilgrimage for believers of all religions in Albania, witnessing peaceful coexistence and love between faiths, as a European and civilizing value of Albanians, she said.
“Economic cooperation is still below our potential and can be expanded in areas such as digitization, tourism, environment, sustainable development, creative industries, labor market, etc.,” said the Speaker, Nikolla. /Argumentum.al
