Belgium has an area of 30,528 square kilometers and a population of 11.6 million inhabitants, which includes the region of Flanders in the north of the country, Wallonia in the south and Brussels in the center where three language communities are located (Flemish, Walloon, German). Each of them has its own government and parliament. The highest body directly elected by the people at the federal level is the House of Representatives (Parliament), while the Senate consists of representatives of the elected regional parliaments. The Belgian Federal Government has more limited powers than other federal states, especially after the institutional reform of 2013. Belgium is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, where the King has limited representative and protocol powers. Before the end of World War II, together with the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium created BENELUX, making the latter a model of political and economic union and integration for the EU itself.
BILATERAL RELATIONS
Diplomatic relations between Albania and Belgium were established in 1924, they continued during the period of King Zogu, to be interrupted during the Second World War. After 1945, contacts between the countries were sporadic. After the beginning of the 90s, relations between the two countries had a stable development in all areas of mutual interest.
The bilateral political relations between Albania and Belgium are considered very good. Belgium has continuously and unreservedly supported the democratic and reforming processes of our country, the integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic structures, the independence of Kosovo, as well as humanitarian aid. Belgium has offered support to Albania for obtaining candidate status in the EU, thus clearly and openly proving that it is in favor of the European perspective of the Western Balkan region and especially Albania.
In addition to bilateral political support and in multilateral organizations, the cooperation of the two countries aims to strengthen economic cooperation, and cooperation in migration and consular matters. Albania and Belgium cooperate in various issues of a bilateral or international nature.
The exchange of high-level visits has influenced the further promotion of bilateral relations. The Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Edi Rama visited Belgium in March 2018, while the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, visited Tirana in April of the same year. In June 2019, the Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs had a working visit to Brussels.
Regular diplomatic consultations are held between the two countries, which take place alternately in Brussels and Tirana, the last diplomatic consultations took place in September 2022, in Brussels.
The objectives of the Belgian foreign policy towards the Balkans, expressed in all multilateral forums, aim for WB to return to an area of peace, stability and democracy, so Belgium has been and remains without hesitation in favor of the continuation of dialogue and exchanges between the countries of WB. Belgium aims for dialogue and regular contacts at the highest levels with all the countries of the region while also offering the experience and spirit of BENELUX to regional initiatives in the Balkans.
For both parties, the promotion of economic/commercial cooperation and Belgian investments in Albania and the Western Balkan region is a high in priority. In general terms, it is considered that the achieved level of economic and commercial exchanges has untapped potential.
Relations between the Parliaments of both countries have also been frequent, including the exchange of visits of the highest parliamentary level and the contribution of Parliamentary Friendship Groups.
The presence of a significant Albanian community in Belgium is an indicator and an important factor in the relations between the two countries. The Albanian community in Belgium plays an important role in expanding the ties between the two countries. The Belgian authorities, in cooperation with the Albanian diaspora, support the efforts of the Albanian authorities to preserve our language, culture and traditions.
Albania and Belgium encourage exchanges in the field of culture and the creation of connections between artists in a reciprocal way, with the aim of intensifying contacts to get to know each other’s culture and traditions better.
