TIRANA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Supporting the "open door" policy and enlargement with other Western Balkan (WB) countries will strengthen security and stability in the region, Albanian Minister of Defense Olta Xhacka said in a press release on Wednesday.
Xhacka made this declaration while attending the first meeting of the Political-Military Steering Committee held in Tirana, a few days after Albania took the official chairmanship of the South East European Defense Ministerial (SEDM).
Speaking to SEDM representatives, Xhacka stressed the importance of expanding regional initiatives with new members.
"The open door policy will give a new impetus to regional initiatives. Developments in the WB are a good indication of how this cooperation, with the involvement of NATO and the European Union, can affect the stability on conflict areas in building modern, peaceful and prosperous societies," Xhacka said.
The minister underlined Albania's role in the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in the region, as a key factor in expanding the accession map for the WB countries and a strong voice for security and stability in these countries.
Alongside SEDM, during 2019 Albania has taken the lead in several important initiatives for the region, including the U.S.-Adriatic Charter Ministerial, known as the A-5, the minister said.
