Albania's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edmond Panariti received this week in a courtesy meeting, the new Ambassador of Portugal to Albania, resident in Rome, Mr. Manuel Lobo Antunes on the occasion of taking over his duty.
In his speech, Albania's Minister Panariti assessed the very good relations between two countries and expressed the willing for their further intensification in the political, economic and other fields of cooperation.
Furthermore, Minister Panariti informed the Portuguese Ambassador on the progress made in Albania with regard to the EU integration process, assured him that European integration remain a national priority and Albania is fully committed in fulfilling the criteria for acquiring the EU candidate status. In this framework, he appreciated the support of Portugal for the European aspiration of Albania.  
The Portuguese Ambassador expressed his pleasure for the current level of relations between the two countries, adding that even more efforts are needed for their further strengthening in the future and assured for his commitment to work in this direction. Also, he assessed positively the progress achieved by Albania towards the European integration and confirmed the support of Portugal in granting EU candidate status to Albania. Source: Government