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Peleshi in Zagreb: Albania and the Western Balkans, part of the future European architecture

2026-03-25 13:17:00, Aktualitet CNA

Peleshi in Zagreb: Albania and the Western Balkans, part of the future European

The Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Niko Peleshi, participated in the Three Seas Initiative Parliamentary Summit, which is taking place in Zagreb.

In his speech, he emphasized the importance of infrastructural and energy connectivity and the integration of the Western Balkans into the European project. President Peleshi praised the organization of the summit by the Croatian Parliament and emphasized that, at a time of new uncertainties in Europe, such cooperation platforms are more necessary than ever to strengthen economic, energy and political ties between the countries of the region.

He underlined that the Western Balkans should no longer be seen as the periphery of Europe, but as an integral part of its future architecture, emphasizing that the geography, political choices, and cultural roots of the region support this perspective.

The President stressed that Albania is increasingly becoming a strategic hub connecting the Adriatic and Ionian Seas with the wider European networks, contributing to the stability and economic development of the region. He highlighted the importance of major infrastructure and energy projects such as Corridor VIII and the Blue Corridor, as well as the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and the planned Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline, which create an integrated east-west and north-south network, connecting ports, energy routes and economic centers in the region.

In this context, Peleshi emphasized that the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union is not simply a political issue, but a strategic necessity for Europe itself, as enlargement is directly related to the security and stability of the continent.

He also underlined Albania's role as a factor of stability in the region and the importance of regional cooperation and parliamentary diplomacy for strengthening the European project.

What is the Three Seas Initiative?

The Three Seas Initiative is a regional cooperation platform connecting Central and Eastern European countries between the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas. It aims to develop joint projects in the fields of infrastructure, energy and digitalization, increasing the region's connectivity and economic security.

The initiative was created in 2015 and today includes 13 European Union member states, while several other countries, including Albania and Montenegro, participate as partners.

The parliamentary summit held in Zagreb brings together parliament speakers and MPs from participating countries and strategic partners to discuss connectivity projects and political cooperation in the region. / CNA