TIRANA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Italy praised Albania's persistence to advancing its European Union (EU) integration agenda, visiting Italian Foreign Minister Angelo Alfano told a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Ditmir Bushati Tuesday.
According to Italy's top diplomat, Albania has made progress on its path towards the EU and has contributed to stability in the region. Therefore, the EU should support the advancement of Balkan countries, he said.
Alfano visited Albania in the framework of the Trieste summit.
Bushati emphasized the implementation of justice reform which he said is fundamental to the country's progress towards the EU.
"I think that judicial reform and the vetting law are fundamental, not only for opening negotiations for EU membership, but also to return Albanian citizens' trust in state institutions and in the justice system," Bushati said.
Italy has been one of the main supporters of Albania's aspirations to join the EU family.
Italy remains one of the three main trade partners of Albania and a major source of remittances as over 500,000 Albanians live and work there.
