Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Albania and the State of Kuwait were established on 08.08.1968, and were especially intensified by the early ’90s and onwards. Both countries are represented by respective resident embassies. The Albanian Embassy was officially opened in October 2010, while the Kuwaiti Embassy was not opened until September 2011.
Albania was amongst the countries that supported the military intervention of the US – led coalition in the beginning of 1991, which very soon brought to the liberation of Kuwait from the Iraqi invasion. Kuwait has supported various projects in Albania, being those of humanitarian approach as well as development projects. A number of projects in Albania, particularly in infrastructure are funded with a low rate loan by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Also worth mentioning are the Al-Kharafi Group Investments in Albania in mid ‘90s. Throughout these years there have been meetings of high political officials, groups of interest and Kuwaiti business groups, etc. Albania is an attractive destination both for foreign investments and tourists to visit. At all levels, there is a positive and favourable climate in terms of investment opportunities in Albania.
Albania has consistently supported Kuwait at International Organisations. Political interaction has been continuous and at a very friendly level. There have been continuous exchanges of official visits among the two countries, worth mentioning from the Albanian side: the visit of the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Rama in November 2014, the visit of the former Head of Parliament, H.E. Mr. Meta in June 2014, the visit of the former President, H.E. Mr. Topi in May 2012 and from the Kuwaiti side: the visit of the former Head of Parliament, Al-Kharafi in October 2011 (during this visit Kuwait officially recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an Independent State), the visit of the former Prime Minister of Kuwait Shaikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah in December 2007, etc.
The two countries have signed a number of bilateral agreements and have entered into force the ones regarding the double taxation, investment protection, in health, air transport, environment protection, lifting of the visa regime for the diplomatic, special and service passport holders.
We bring to your attention that in January 2015, Albanian government agreed to abolish the visa regime for Kuwait and this decision entered into force in February 2015.
Agreements signed between Republic of Albania and the State of Kuwait:
Memorandum of Understanding for bilateral consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Agreement for Establishing of Joint Cooperation Committee between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Agreement for Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Agreement on promotion and protection of investments between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Agreement for Cooperation in the field of Tourism between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Agreement for cultural and artistic Cooperation between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 12.12.2007.
Memorandum of Understanding for Air Services between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 04.04.2010.
Agreement between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, 04.04.2010.
Agreement between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait for legal and justice cooperation on criminal cases, 14.03.2011.
Agreement for Air Services between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 08.04.2013.
Agreement for financing and restoration of Tirana square, 5 million Euro grant, on January 2008.
Protocol of cooperation between of Chambers of Commerce &Industries.
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on environment protection, preservation of natural recourses and sustainable development between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 19.11.2014.
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of health between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 19.11.2014.
Agreement for abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 19.11.2014.
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of development of industrial exports between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 19.11.2014
Agreement for cooperation between the ATSH and KUNA, on 12.10.2014.
Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Kuwait, on 24.03.2016.
Agreement for cooperation between the High State Control of the Republic of Albania and the State Bureau of Audit of the State of Kuwait, on 06.03.2017.