Roberto Alesse, Director General of
Italy's Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM), met in Tirana with
Belinda Balluku, Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Infrastructure and Energy. The Italian ambassador to Albania,
Fabrizio Bucci, and the director of Albanian Customs, Genthi
Gazheli, also attended the meeting.
"The Balkans hold great importance for the future of Europe;
Albania is our natural partner in this area," Alesse explained
during the meeting, emphasizing the excellent relations with
Italy due to a long history of cooperation. It is crucial that
the Western Balkans enter Europe," he said. Since I took office,
I have aimed to intensify cooperation with the Albanian customs
administration and other countries in this region.
"Today is a great day for our countries and for our customs,"
Vice-Premier Balluku said. "We have a long-lasting relationship
with Italy, which we deem the gateway to Europe. Albania is
working on the construction of a new commercial port in Durres,
which will be the largest in the Balkans and will be connected
with Macedonia and Kosovo. I hope, therefore, that relations
with Italian Customs will continue in a fruitful way."
Alesse, in line with ADM's constant commitment to the Western
Balkans in carrying out cooperation projects, went to Albania
"as a strategic country for our commercial interests and
regional stabilization," a statement from ADM reads. Italy is
Albania's leading supplier, and the trade interchange reached a
record level of 3.3 billion in 2023. In addition, there are
understandings in other areas, above all immigration."
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