Florian NOVA

Today at the @NATO Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers in #Helsingborg, I reaffirmed Albania's unwavering commitment to NATO values, strengthening the transatlantic link and to increasing defence investment, in line with Allied commitments. Our 2026 defence budget represents the most ambitious level of investment since Albania joined the Alliance, contributing to stronger national capabilities and collective security. I reiterated our full support for #Ukraine as a cornerstone of European security and the continuation of assistance through NATO mechanisms. In this context, I informed Allies that on 12 June, I will co-host in Tirana, together with Minister @andrii_sybiha, the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Ministerial Meeting, an important platform to strengthen political dialogue, enhance regional coordination, and reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, security, and stability in Europe. I also stressed the importance of a 360-degree approach to #security, strengthening cooperation with Euro-Atlantic partners, and maintaining a strong focus on stability in the Middle East and the #WesternBalkans. Albania remains fully engaged in supporting regional stability, including through Allied discussions on the future of #KFOR and #NATO's cooperation with #Kosovo. As we move toward the NATO Summit in #Ankara in July 2026, I underscored the importance and the significance of holding the following NATO #Summit in #Tirana, which will represent a historic milestone for the region and a strong signal of the Alliance’s enduring commitment to the Western Balkans. #WeAreNATO

NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in 🇸🇪#Helsingborg, 🇦🇱Minister @HoxhaFer : "As we move toward the NATO Summit in #Ankara in July 2026, I underscored the importance and the significance of holding the following NATO #Summit in #Tirana, which will represent a historic milestone for the region and a strong signal of the Alliance’s enduring commitment to the Western Balkans."

A friendly and productive first meeting with @Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, on the margins of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting in #Helsingborg. Building on the recent visit of Prime Minister @ediramaal to Tallinn, we had an excellent exchange on Albania’s accession path to the European Union, the very strong bilateral relations between our countries, and our shared desire to further expand cooperation in areas of common interest. In particular, we discussed Estonia’s remarkable experience in digitalisation, innovation, and the transformation of public services and daily governance, areas where #Albania is keen to deepen cooperation and benefit from #Estonia’s expertise to further strengthen efficiency, transparency, and citizen-oriented public administration. We also exchanged views on the security situation in the region and on our common efforts, including as #NATO Allies, to further strengthen collective resilience and coordination in addressing shared challenges, including in cyberspace through the Security Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, which Albania joined recently. 🇦🇱🇪🇪 #Horizon2030 #WeAreNATO

#Helsingborg, Sweden🇸🇪 at the start of the @NATO Meeting of Foreign Ministers #ForMin, ready to have substantive discussions on preparations for the Ankara #Summit and on the Alliance's strategic priorities in an increasingly challenging security environment. #WeAreNATO

At the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in Francophone Environments held in 📍Rabat 🇲🇦, on behalf of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, I reaffirmed 🇦🇱 Albania’s strong commitment to UN peacekeeping, multilateralism, and international security. 🇦🇱🇺🇳 Since 1996, nearly 8,000 Albanian personnel have served in UN, NATO, and EU missions, contributing to peace, stability, and civilian protection in complex environments. Albania supports stronger, more adaptive, and more inclusive peace operations, enhanced international cooperation, and the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, while continuing to strengthen capacities in cybersecurity, rule of law, and resilience against hybrid threats and disinformation.

Thank you for the warm hospitality, President @PellegriniP_, and for the support towards Albania on its path to finalizing EU membership. Slovakia remains not only a trusted NATO ally, but also a key European partner in fulfilling this national mission. Our political relations are already well consolidated, with a shared vision to further deepen cooperation in economy, tourism, energy, agriculture, and healthcare. 🇦🇱🇸🇰

It was a pleasure to host today H.E. Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. 🇦🇱🇶🇦 Our discussions reaffirmed the excellent relations, mutual trust, and strong partnership between our two countries, as well as our shared commitment to further deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation. We agreed that increased exchanges, particularly at the high level, provide important momentum for advancing cooperation and exploring new opportunities of mutual interest. We highlighted the significant potential for business in both countries, including by expanding #Qatari investments in #Albania across key sectors such as transport, energy, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and education. To this end, our governments will maintain intensive political and technical dialogue aimed at advancing concrete joint projects, facilitating investments, and strengthening people-to-people contacts. We also exchanged views on #regional and #international developments and reaffirmed our common interest in preserving stability, promoting dialogue, and fostering sustainable development and prosperity in our respective regions and beyond. Albania highly values Qatar’s friendship and support over the years, especially in times of need. I reiterated Albania’s unwavering solidarity with Qatar in light of the recent escalatory developments in the #MiddleEast, and strongly condemned any action that threatens its peace, security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity. We share the conviction that the close ties between our countries, founded on mutual respect, cooperation and shared interests, will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead.

🇦🇱🇳🇴 Gëzuar Grunnlovsdagen, Norway! On this Constitution Day, Albania sends its warmest wishes to the Norwegian people and government. As proud NATO allies, our bond goes beyond friendship, it’s a shared commitment to peace and security. May the spirit of freedom, democracy, and friendship that shines on May 17th continue to unite our nations. Gratulerer med dagen, Norge!

Russia’s latest massive wave of drone and ballistic missile attacks against Ukraine, targeting Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa and other regions, is yet another brutal reminder of its ongoing aggression, its complete disregard for human life, and its continued objective to destroy Ukraine. These attacks demonstrate once again that Russia has no genuine interest in peace. Albania unequivocally condemns this latest act of brutality and reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine, its people, and its right to defend its sovereignty, freedom, independence, and territorial integrity. 🇦🇱🇺🇦 @MFA_Ukraine @andrii_sybiha

Albania is proud to join today the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), alongside Finland and Sweden. Today’s flag-raising ceremony marks not only Albania’s formal accession to this prestigious NATO Centre of Excellence, but also a significant step forward in strengthening our contribution to Allied security, resilience, and collective defence in cyberspace. This milestone reflects Albania’s growing role within the Alliance and our firm commitment to addressing evolving cyber threats in an increasingly complex security environment. Cyber defence is now an indispensable component of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Through membership in the CCDCOE, Albania will deepen cooperation with Allies and partners, expand access to advanced expertise, training, and exercises, and further strengthen our national cyber capabilities, including the protection of critical institutions and infrastructure. As Albania prepares to host the next NATO Summit in Tirana, we remain fully committed to reinforcing Allied unity, investing in modern capabilities, and contributing actively to NATO’s adaptation to emerging challenges across all domains, including cyberspace. 🇦🇱🇫🇮🇸🇪 #NATO

Miratimi (me thuajse unanimitet - vetëm një abstenim) i #rezolutës në mbështetje të anëtarësimit të Shqipërisë në #BashkiminEvropian përbën një moment me rëndësi të veçantë politike dhe #kombëtare. Ai është një shenjë e qartë e #pjekurisë politike dhe demokratike, një konfirmim i rrugës së drejtë që #Shqipëria ka zgjedhur dhe po ndjek, si edhe një tregues domethënës i mbështetjes së gjerë dhe të qëndrueshme që gëzon #rrugëtimi evropian i vendit në të gjitha nivelet e shoqërisë dhe politikës. Anëtarësimi në Bashkimin Evropian mbetet një objektiv strategjik kombëtar që na bashkon përtej #dallimeve politike, në funksion të ndërtimit të një të ardhmeje të përbashkët #evropiane për vendin dhe qytetarët tanë. #Shqipëria2030

I received Admiral George M. Wikoff Commander of @JFC_Naples, today. At a complex geopolitical moment, Admiral Wikoff is leading this Command with vision, playing an essential role in safeguarding defense, peace, and stability in our region. Albania will remain firmly committed to the strong strategic partnership with the United States and NATO. The American presence in the region is indispensable.

I thank Congressman @RepKeithSelf for his strong support for Kosova and its aspiration to join #NATO, as the only path toward peace and stability in the Balkans. The people of Kosova are fortunate to have friends like Congressman Self in the United States Congress — a powerful voice defending Kosova’s interests in Washington 🇺🇸🇽🇰 During today’s session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Self called for increased diplomatic pressure on NATO member states that still have not recognized Kosova’s independence. He also warned about the growing Russian influence in the Balkans, while describing Kosova as a decisive factor for peace, stability, and the Euro-Atlantic future of the region. During the same session, members of the Committee supported the initiative to name the building of the American Embassy in Prishtina after Congressman Eliot Engel — a great friend of the Albanian people, who for decades was one of the strongest voices in support of Kosova’s freedom and independence. Kosova has a historic opportunity. With America by its side, NATO membership can be achieved. And within the next few months, the United States Embassy in Kosova may bear the name of Congressman Eliot Engel. Leaders in Kosova must seize this historic moment to move the country forward. God bless the United States and the American people. God bless Kosova and all Albanian people 🇺🇸🇽🇰🇦🇱 #HarryBajraktari @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @DanScavino @VP @SecRubio @StateDept @StateEUR @USEmbPristina @SpeakerJohnson @USRepKeating @RepBrianMast @RepGregoryMeeks @RepJeffries @jahimes @Robert_Aderholt @RepLisaMcClain @RepMcGovern @RepVeasey @RepScottPeters @repdeliaramirez @ZachNunn @PeteSessions @RepLoriTrahan @RepPatFallon @RepGLatimer @realBrandonGill @RepBrandonGill @RepJuanVargas @RepMikeLawler @Albanians4USA @albulenahaxhiu_ @KonjufcaGlauk @albinkurti @bedrihamzarks @haradinajramush @VjosaOsmaniPRKS @LumirAbdixhiku

Diskutimi i sotëm i veçantë në Kuvend mbi ecurinë e procesit të #anëtarësimit të Shqipërisë në #BashkiminEvropian përbën një moment të rëndësishëm politik dhe institucional në mbështetje të objektivit tonë madhor kombëtar dhe për synimin strategjik të vendit për t’u bërë pjesë e familjes evropiane. Marrëdhëniet tona me Bashkimin Evropian dhe vendet anëtare nuk kanë qenë asnjëherë më të ngushta, më konkrete, më përmbajtësore dhe më premtuese se sot. Në bazë të kësaj marrëdhëniejeje janë negociatat e anëtarësimit, një proces i bazuar në meritë, ku rezultatet konkrete dhe reformat reale mbeten kriteri i vetem i vlerësimit nga partnerët tanë. Ky debat është një mundësi e shkëlqyer për të riafirmuar përkushtimin tonë të përbashkët ndaj procesit të anëtarësimit, për të vlerësuar progresin e arritur deri më sot, por edhe për të reflektuar mbi përgjegjësitë dhe #sfidat që kemi përpara, përfshirë mbi ato aspekte e fusha ku duhet të bëhet me shumë dhe më mirë. Anëtarësimi në BE dhe vetë procesi i #negociatave nuk janë dhe nuk duhet të konsiderohen vetëm si një proces teknik apo institucional. Ndonëse këto dimensione janë të paevitueshme dhe thelbësore, anëtarësimi në BE është mbi të gjitha një projekt transformues kombëtar, që kërkon vizion afatgjatë, vullnet dhe bashkëpunim politik dhe angazhim të qëndrueshëm nga të gjitha institucionet, forcat politike dhe nga e gjithë shoqëria. Në këtë proces madhor dhe transformues, askush nuk është i përjashtuar dhe secili ka një rol për të luajtur në funksion të së mirës së përbashkët. Prandaj është thelbësore që #Kuvendi të vijojë të luajë rolin e tij të pazëvendësueshëm në mbështetje të reformave, në forcimin e #dialogut demokratik e përmbajtësor dhe në konsolidimin e #konsensusit kombëtar për të ardhmen evropiane të Shqipërisë. Sepse anëtarësimi në BE është një investim #strategjik për Shqipërinë e së nesërmes, për një vend më të fortë, më demokratik, më të zhvilluar dhe më të sigurt. Është një angazhim që u shërben të gjithë qytetarëve, e veçanërisht fëmijëve e të rinjve të sotëm, të cilët nesër do të jenë qytetarë të Bashkimit Evropian, me më shumë mundësi, siguri dhe dinjitet. Ky është misioni parësor dhe përgjegjësia kryesore e #Ministrisë për Evropën dhe Punët e Jashtme: të kontribuojë në avancimin e procesit të integrimit evropian të #Shqipërisë, të forcojë partneritetet tona strategjike dhe të mobilizojë mbështetjen më të gjerë të mundshme politike, diplomatike dhe shoqërore në funksion të këtij objektivi kombëtar. #Shqipëria2030

Congratulations to @_OrbanAnita on assuming office as Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Foreign Affairs at @MFA_Hungary. 🇦🇱🇭🇺 I look forward to working together to further strengthen the excellent relations between #Albania and #Hungary and to deepen our cooperation on issues of shared #European, regional and international interest. Wishing you every success in your new mandate and looking forward to welcoming you in #Albania. Sok sikert az új fejezethez.

I was pleased to meet today in Tirana with the delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Swedish Parliament, led by Morgan Johansson, for a constructive and engaging discussion. 🇦🇱🇸🇪 I expressed my sincere appreciation for #Sweden’s continued support for Albania’s #European accession process, as well as for the valuable contribution Sweden has provided over the years to Albania’s democratic, institutional, and socio-economic development. We exchanged views on #Albania’s progress in the EU accession negotiations, highlighting the importance of maintaining the momentum of reforms and advancing further on key priorities related to the rule of law, democratic institutions, and good governance. We also discussed the need to address common regional and global challenges through closer coordination, dialogue, and cooperation among partners and allies. I underlined Albania’s strong commitment to further strengthening our excellent bilateral relations with Sweden, deepening parliamentary cooperation, and expanding collaboration in all areas of shared strategic importance. Albania highly values Sweden’s friendship and partnership, and we look forward to continuing our close cooperation in support of a stronger, more united, and forward-looking #Europe. #Horizon2030

🎙️'Candidate countries, such as Albania, are not just candidates: they are our partners.’ President @NadiaCalvino in Tirana during her first visit to Albania 🇦🇱 🎥⤵️

A useful clarification: A journalist in Brussels asked me whether the protocol between Albania and Italy would be renewed after the expiration of the initial five-year period. I responded by saying: “I am not certain, assuming that Albania will by then be a member state of the European Union and the situation will therefore be different.” As simple as that. It is not a decision it is just thinking aloud and doing it candidly. This statement should in no way be interpreted as a change of Albania’s position regarding the protocol. Unfortunately, in today’s world, noise often travels faster than argument, logic and context. Isolated phrases are too often transformed into narratives that do not reflect either the substance of the discussion or the actual position of governments.

Today, I met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of North Macedonia, Major General Sashko Lafchiski. Strengthening cooperation in the field of defense and security between the two neighboring countries, NATO allies, as well as regional coordination in the face of security challenges, were the focus of the meeting.

Diplomacy is not confined to formal meeting rooms only; it happens everywhere, even while waiting for the next flight to the next engagement. I was hapy to to have had a substantive exchange with Ukrainian Foreign Minister @andrii_sybiha on the latest developments in Ukraine, ongoing efforts to bring an end to Russia’s unjust war of aggression, and the broader European security landscape. 🇦🇱 Albania has stood firmly with Ukraine from the very first day of Russia’s brutal aggression, and we will continue to support #Ukraine with unwavering commitment, in every possible way. We also exchanged views on our respective EU paths and underscored the importance of maintaining momentum for the #European accession of both countries. Our discussion also touched upon bilateral relations and upcoming activities, including a ministerial meeting to be held in June in #Tirana, reaffirming our close cooperation and shared commitment to peace, security and regional stability. 🇦🇱🇺🇦