Estonian parlt speaker, Albanian president discuss EU enlargement, security

TALLINN - At a meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj on Thursday, President of the Estonian parliament Lauri Hussar discussed issues relating to security and economic cooperation and confirmed that Estonia supported the enlargement policy and Albania's accession to the European Union.

At the meeting, Hussar said that Estonia and Albania are like-minded countries and have excellent cooperation, but it can be tightened even more. The president of the Riigikogu confirmed that Estonia is one of the major supporters of the enlargement of the European Union because Estonia can see how much its accession to the EU and NATO had helped it.

"We are happy to offer our support and to share our 20-year experience. We know how much work it took to accede to the European Union and to be a member in the first years," he said.

Security and support to Ukraine was also in focus at the meeting. The parties admitted that countries need to cooperate and to support Ukraine unwaveringly so that Russia's war will end in Ukraine's victory.

"We must convince our partners and do everything in our power to support Ukraine. This is necessary not just for Ukraine but for us as well," Hussar said.

The president of Albania pointed out that supporting Ukraine is not alms but an investment in Europe's security.

The situation in the Western Balkans was also discussed at the meeting. Chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Riigikogu Marko Mihkelson also participated in the meeting, besides Hussar.

This morning, the president of Albania also met with his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis and laid flowers at the Memorial to the Victims of Communism at Maarjamäe in Tallinn. During his visit, he will also meet with Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur and Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovski. The president will also visit the Estonian e-Governance Academy and the cyber security training centre CR14.

On Friday, the Albanian head of state and his wife Armanda Begaj will be in Tartu where they will meet with Mayor Urmas Klaas and visit Tartu University Hospital, the Baltic Defense College, and Tartu Art Museum.