Article 8
1. Political dialogue between the Parties shall be further developed within the context of this Agreement. It shall accompany and consolidate the rapprochement between the European Union and Albania and contribute to the establishment of close links of solidarity and new forms of cooperation between the Parties. 2. The political dialogue is intended to promote in particular: — Albania’s full integration into the community of democratic nations and gradual rapprochement with the European Union, — an increasing convergence of positions of the Parties on international issues, also through the exchange of information as appropriate, and, in particular, on those issues likely to have substantial effects on the Parties, — regional cooperation and the development of good neighbourly relations, — common views on security and stability in Europe, including cooperation in the areas covered by the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. 3. The Parties consider that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, both to State and non-State actors, represents one of the most serious threats to international stability and security. The Parties therefore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery through full compliance with and national implementation of their existing obligations under international disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements and other relevant international obligations. The Parties agree that this provision constitutes an essential element of this Agreement and shall be part of the political dialogue that shall accompany and consolidate these elements. The Parties furthermore agree to cooperate and to contribute to countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery by: — taking steps to sign, ratify, or accede to, as appropriate, and fully implement all other relevant international instruments, — the establishment of an effective system of national export controls, controlling the export as well as the transit of WMD-related goods, including a WMD end-use control on dual-use technologies and containing effective sanctions for breaches of export controls. Political dialogue on this matter may take place on a regional basis.