It is an objective of Greece to see Albania obtain candidate status for the European Union (EU) by June, Greek parliament speaker said on Sunday.
"Among the Greek presidency's objectives is that Albania obtains the EU candidate country status within June," said Evangelos Vasileios Meimarakis, who is on a visit to Albania.
Athens is holding the EU's rotating presidency during the first half of this year.
"As we helped Albania join the NATO, with more strength and desire we will do our best for it to become an EU candidate within our EU presidency," he said.
"Through this visit we convey the message of optimism that our bilateral relations are excellent, defined as strategic relations, and that our countries have the possibility and must sincerely cooperate for the best of our citizens and development," Meimarakis said during a joint press conference with his Albanian counterpart Ilir Meta.
Meimarakis was received by Albanian President Bujar Nishani on Sunday. They shared the view that relations between Albania and Greece are in good shape and will advance as an expression of the will of the two countries and peoples.
Nishani said that cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism and agriculture can not only be a success story, but can also serve as a model of cooperation in the region, where Greece can always play a significant role.