Tirana, Sep 25 (IANS): British Ambassador to Albania Nicholas Cannon Tuesday pledged support for Albania and the Balkan country's EU intergration ambition.

"We support Albania's progress towards EU membership through support to judicial and rule of law reform. This work also supports UK goals to reduce organised crime affecting both countries," said Cannon in a meeting with Speaker of the Albanian assembly Ilir Meta, Xinhua reported.

"We improve bilateral defence links with our newest NATO ally, including through an annual programme of joint training exercises and support economic development through reforms to the business environment and measures against corruption, increasing Albania's potential to attract foreign direct investment," Cannon said.

Meta, according to a press release, appreciated Britain's role as a strategic partner of Albania and expressed the will to further improve bilateral inter-parliamentary relations.

He said the assembly will make a positive contribution to the key reforms in Albania aiming at strengthening stability and making progress on the road of European integration.