Tirana – European integration of Balkan countries is one of the main issues put forth by the Italian leadership semester within the Council of the EU. In her second day of her mission to the Balkans, the Foreign Minister of Italy, Federica Mogherini, reiterated her support for integration strategies. After visiting Sarajevo and Pristina, the foreign minister was today in Skopje and Tirana. Her four-cities tour sends a clear message to Europe: “I wanted to visit all the capitals of the Western Balkans in a single round – Mogherini told the Macedonian press –to underline the fact that the problems need to be addressed from a regional perspective and not only on a bilateral basis. We need to encourage stable relations among the countries that are part of the region.” These concepts were reiterated during a press conference in Tirana, where the Foreign Minister will sign the 2014-2016Protocol of Cooperation, which has a total budget of €81.7 million. (9Colonne)
