The President Of The Republic Of Albania, H.E. Mr. Bajram Begaj Receives The President Of Azerbaijan, H. E. Mr. Ilham Aliev, On His First Official Visit To Albania

Albania aims to increase cooperation with Azerbaijan in crucial sectors, such as energy, infrastructure and tourism, and transform into a gas transmission beneficiary country. This was stressed out today during the meeting that the President of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Bajram Begaj held with the President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, during the first ever visit of an Azeri President to Albania. Discussions were particularly focused on the need to identify areas of common interest and concrete ways to deepen bilateral cooperation. During the meeting, discussions also covered the potential increase of the volume of gas supply, passing through Albania, which would contribute to Europe's energy security, especially these troubled times of war in Ukraine. "Energy and gas infrastructure are becoming more and more important for all countries. The Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline, through TAP, connects Albania with Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia, transforming our country into a regional gas distributor and diversifier, of geostrategic importance on both a regional and European level", President Begaj observed. "Cooperation between our two countries through the TAP project has been successful", noted the Albanian Head of State. "This opens up new opportunities for cooperation, including the gasification process of Albania. The Gas Master Plan, which our country has already adopted, will be revised to consider all opportunities for cooperation. As a transit country, within the framework of TAP, Albania aims to transform into a beneficiary country of gas transmission". President Begaj highlighted the fact that next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Azerbaijan, giving us the opportunity to consider 2023 as a year to intensify cooperation and mark new developments. President Begaj stated: "We, also, discussed the Azeri proposal to open their Embassy in our country. This is a much-appreciated proposal and a sign of consolidated relations, coming at a time when we need to accelerate the cooperation pace between our two friendly countries". Both Heads of State observed that tourism constitutes an important sector for the economies of our two countries and an area of common interest. "With the aim of intensifying exchanges in the field of tourism between the two countries, we also talked about the possibility of lifting visas for our citizens. We shared the opinion that culture always remains the most natural way to bring people closer", noted President Begaj. The Albanian Head of State confirmed to President Aliyev that Albania's foreign policy supports long-term peace in the South Caucasus region, the resolution of disputes through diplomacy and dialogue, and the mediation of accepted international actors, such as the EU, UN, OSCE. Furthermore, the Albanian Head of State underlined that Albania supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and that only a peaceful solution, in full respect of international laws, is the only way for long-term stability and peace. He continued that in his talks with President Aliyev, they discussed about the very good cooperation between the two countries in the frame of important international organizations, such as: UN, OSCE, CoE (Council of Europe). Both parties agreed that they should continue to support each-other’s candidacies in international organizations, in the future. With reference to our region, President Begaj noted that Kosovo is very important for Albania. "The stability and democratic progress of Kosovo is important not only for Albania, but for the stability and progress of our entire region", the President observed.

The President of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Bajram Begaj receives the President of Azerbaijan, H. E. Mr. Ilham Aliev, on his first official visit to Albania