1.1 Albania-Turkey relations
Albania and Turkey are two countries that share many similarities regarding their culture and history. They have created a bond that goes back many centuries. Their relationship consists of economic, social and political cooperation, which have a long history dating from the Ottoman Empire to the present day.
Turkey and Albania marked this December the 100th anniversary of the writing of the Friendship Treaty between the two languages. even officially at the level of strategic partnership and will also be mutual high-level visits in recent years.
Since the borders of communism, Turkey needs help for Albania in the different sector and throughout life, where in recent years stand out for the housing of families that were affected by the earthquake in November 2019, the construction of the Regional Memorial Hospital in Fier, the Mosque of Namazgja in Tirana, the airline company “Air Albania” and the restoration of cultural monuments.
We recall that the change of Turkey-Albania was formalized at the level of strategic partnership after the signing of the joint strategy for the High Level Cooperation Council, during Prime Minister Edi Rama’s visit to Turkey, in January of the year.
1.2 Economy
THE PRESENCE OF TURKISH COMPANIES IN ALBANIA
According to the data of the National Commercial Register of the KKB, 559 Turkish-owned companies are active in the territory of Albania. Among them, 471 have 100% foreign capital, while 88 of them have joint capital. Turkish companies are present in 9 of the 12 districts of the country. Most of these companies, namely 84%, operate in the territory of the District of Tirana. The activity of Turkish-owned companies is spread over several areas of economic activities.
Between Albania and Turkey there is a rich legal framework which has had a positive impact on cooperation over the years.
The intensive exchanges have been successful in terms of consolidating the existing strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as enriching the institutional cooperation in all fields and levels even during the year. 2021. These exchanges have clearly confirmed the political will to strengthen bilateral relations, as well as to identify new areas of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, especially in economic and trade relations.
After Prime Minister Rama’s visit to Turkey on January 6-7, 2021, the following documents were signed:
– The joint declaration for the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council,
– Cooperation agreement in the field of medicine,
– Cooperation agreement in the field of education,
– Cooperation agreement in the field of Infrastructure,
– The cooperation protocol for the restoration of the Lead Mosque and the flood protection system project.
The agreements that were signed during the visit of Prime Minister Edi Rama to Turkey on February 20, 2024;
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkey for cooperation in the field of environment.
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey for the sustainable management of forests and protected areas.
– Agreement between the KM of RSH and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on the status of the coordination office of the TIKA Tirana program.
– Military framework agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey.
– Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of RS and the Government of the Republic of Turkey in the Fields of Media and Communication for communication and public information.
– Cooperation Protocol between the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation and the Albanian Radio and Television Corporation.
CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral relations between Albania and Turkey are excellent. One of the main factors to promote this friendship is that Turkey is considered a major trade partner of Albania, so Albania prioritizes the expansion of economic and commercial relations and the promotion of direct Turkish investments in Albania.
The progress of economic cooperation and the growing trend of trade exchanges between our countries are evaluated, which are stable, while there are quite large opportunities for their expansion.
Turkey has been and remains an important strategic partner of Albania in the region and beyond, therefore the unstoppable strengthening, expansion and deepening of excellent relations with Turkey, a friend and ally in NATO, in the new conditions of joint security, peace commitments and economic development, remains one of the important priorities of the foreign policy of the Albanian institutions.
Albania and Turkey, despite their long history together, should maintain good relations with each other and pay great attention to developing it further. Such trade removes unnecessary barriers, gives countries the opportunity to realize real potential and brings them closer to major international markets around the globe.
It can be concluded that trade with Turkey has brought new perceptions to the domestic market, presenting innovative products, being a leader in important industries and eliminating border barriers, therefore increasing the economy of a small country like Albania.
