TIRANA, September 23 – Albania’s diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan were established on September 22, 1993 a date which the September of this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Friendly bilateral relations between them are based on trust and mutual respect, and there is an ever-increasing trend of overall cooperation and the political contacts have expanded especially over the recent years.
It is worth mentioning the official visit of the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama to Baku on April 14, 2022. Energy and tourism were identified as the most potential sectors for the intensification of cooperation between the two countries during that visit.
In the meantime the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev paid an official visit to Albania for the first time in November last year during which he held talks with the Head of State, Bajram Begaj and met other highest government leaders.
In the frame of exchanges of visits at high level on July 6, 2023 Albanian President Bajram Begai visited Azerbaijan and engaged in discussions with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on bilateral political relations, joint activities in international organizations, trade, economic matters and investment opportunities ( Kaspi.az; Report.az, July 8). These talks underlined Baku’s increased attention to deepening its partnerships with countries in the Balkans. In the case of Albanian-Azerbaijani relations, Aliyev declared, “I would call these relations excellent.”
Another important event in the bilateral relations between the two countries was the opening of the Azeri Embassy in Tirana earlier this year.
The Albanian government has removed visas for short-term stay for Azeri citizens since 2011, an action taken by this Balkan country which expresses its will to further develop the cooperation between the two countries. According to a government decision dated 29.12.2021 “On determining the criteria, procedures and documentation for the entry, stay and treatment of foreigners in the Republic of Albania”, Azerbaijan is on the list of countries whose citizens enter without a visa in the Republic of Albania, for a short-term stay.
There are 8 signed agreements and several others are in process. There has been an ever-increasing interest during the intensification of cooperation in the field of economy, especially in the field of energy. Cooperation in the energy sector is considered one of the most important areas of our economic relations.
The completion of the TAP gas pipeline works is of strategic importance for strengthening cooperation in this field. Albania is interested in an active participation of Azerbaijan in the development of energy infrastructure in the country and pays special attention to the implementation of the Memorandum on the General Gasification Plan of Albania, signed between the two countries.
Tirana has always been supportive of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Positive developments in the dialogue between the parties took place during the Albanian Chairmanship of the OSCE”. (Tripartite declaration signed on November 10, 2020 between Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia).
The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Albania and Azerbaijan is an occasion which opens new paths for further expansion of the bilateral relations between the two countries in the mutual benefit of the two friendly people who aspire for global development, peace and security in the world. /argumentum.al
