The Relations between Republic of Albania and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Albania and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are established on 2 December 1992. Political relations between the two countries are considered as very good.

Since its opening, the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Riyadh, has worked towards the intensification of political relations, strengthening of political dialogue, deepening of economic cooperation, increase of trade exchange and  and completion of the legal framework of cooperation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Between the two countries there are visit exchanges at various levels, mainly from the Republic of Albania, Twice Prime Minister, three times the Presidents of Parliament, three times the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, the Friendship Parliamentary Group of Albania-Saudi Arabia etc., have visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

From the Saudi side, the officials who have visited Albania are: Twice the President of the Saudi Commission on Tourism and National Heritage, (September 6-9, 2016, and July 24 2019), the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, the President of the Saudi Youth Affairs, Sports and some International Olympic Committee, the Friendship Parliamentary Group of Saudi Arabia-Albania etc. Also, the Chairman of the Parliament of Saudi Arabia Dr. Abdullah Al Sheikh, heading a parliamentary delegation visited Albania. This has been the first visit of the President of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ( Majlis  Alshura) in Tirana.

Second Session of the Joint Saudi –Albanian Commissionwas held in Riyadh, on November 28, 2016, and Third Session held in Tirana, on September 4-6, 2019.
Between the two countries have been held meetings with senior political officials, groups of interest and business etc. Meetings are held with the Head of the Corporation for the Development of Private Sector of the Board of Islamic Bank for Development, cultural heritage authorities etc.
In all these meetings, it has been looked for strengthening and deepening of the bilateral relations and is underlined the interest of our country to further the economic-trade and technical-scientific relations with Saudi Arabia. Albania is promoted as an attractive destination for foreign investment. At all levels there is a positive and favorable climate in terms of investment opportunities in Albania.

The Saudi side is offered and contributed for the financing of the road project Durres-Morinë and Tirana-Elbasan, as well as several other projects in Albania, through the Saudi Fund for Development. Financing conditions have been and continue to be favorable.

The Saudi side has financed twice, through the Islamic Bank for Development, the realization of the Conference for Foreign Investments in our country.
The attention is paid from both sides to complete the legal framework between the two countries.

Albania represents the diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia through the Embassy of Republic of Albania in Riyadh, Ambassador Sami Shiba, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represents these relations through its Embassy in Tirana, Ambassador Abdulmumin bin Muhammed Sharaf.

Honorary Consul of Republic of Albania in Jeddah is Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz AL NOWAISER.

Completed agreements:

1. Protocol on establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Albania and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, December 2,1992,
2. The General cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 28.06.2004,
3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tirana, on 06.28.2004,
4. The loan agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Saudi Fund for Development on financing the project “Construction of the Durres overpass road ” 2009, and the “Qukes-Qafe Plloce”,
5. The loan agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Saudi Fund for Development on financing the project: “Construction of the Vlora’s River road”.
6. Agreement between the Council of the Republic of Albania and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital, 6 February 2019,
7. Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Air Services, 6 February 2019,
8. Memorandum of Understanding between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on Cultural Cooperation, 2012,
9. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Tourism between the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
10. Memorandum of Understanding on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports between the Council of Minister of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

 

The agreements in process:

1. Agreement on promotion and protection of investments between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
2. Agreement on the mutual recognition of driving licenses between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
3. Agreement on the commercial and economic cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
4. Agreement on Cooperation in the combat of crimes between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
5. Agreement on cooperation in the field of justice between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
6. Memorandum of Understanding on military cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
7. Executive Program for Cultural Cooperation, for the period 2017-2020, between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.