The President of Albania Ilir Meta held a meeting in Struga where he was received by the Mayor of the Struga Ramiz MERKO, municipality council members, religious community representatives, politicians and residents. During his meeting with the Chairman Merko, Meta spoke about the role of Albanians in Macedonia and the momentum gained by both countries in the EU Integration path as well as about the great potential Struga has to become a developed, touristic, cultural and economical regional center.

"Struga is an exceptional city for all Albanians, wherever they live. It is one of our most beautiful cities with extraordinary patriotic traditions, which has contributed throughout the history of our nation as well as for the independence of Albania. Both countries, Albania and Macedonia have just received the positive recommendation by EC for the opening of negotiations with EU and we need to strengthen all our efforts in the weeks to come to get a positive decision by the council of all member states in June", President Meta is reported to have said, also commenting on the position of Albanians in Macedonia.

"We believe that Macedonia has made significant progress during the last year and this reflects a great deal on the position of Albanians. For the first time we have a Parliament Speaker elected among Albanian parties. There is also a willingness from the majority to start the implementation of the language law as soon as possible, which will deliver on a very long awaited topic. This is not to be seen as a favor done to Albanians but rather as an obligation, a necessity".

President Meta is also reported to have spoken about the bilateral relations with Greece. "The solution for the name will help Macedonia focus on other processes not only related to the integration into NATO, EU but also to a more stable economic development. This is to the best interest of Albania as well because Albanians here are an important factor and luckily, a positive factor for stability, contributing in the EU and NATO integration. It is, in my opinion, important that there be cooperation on a local level as well, especially with regards to the cooperation of communes", Meta stressed.