Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Rama of Albania, President Erdoğan said: “We see our initiatives in the spheres of trade and investment as steps to enhance the prosperity of our peoples. In this framework, we continue our joint efforts to increase our trade volume to $2 billion in the first phase.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania held a joint press conference following their bilateral meeting and the 2nd meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council.
“Last year, we marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Albania. Drawing strength from our historical ties and cultural affinity, our friendly relations with Albania extend far beyond a century. With today's talks, we further deepened our strategic partnership, which we built on this historical, social and cultural foundation in 2021,” President Erdoğan said.
“WE AGREED TO DIVERSIFY OUR MUTUAL INVESTMENTS”
“We have just signed three agreements in the fields of agriculture, higher education and public relations and communication, confirming our will to further our cooperation. We see our initiatives in the spheres of trade and investment as steps to enhance the prosperity of our peoples. In this framework, we continue our joint efforts to increase our trade volume to $2 billion in the first phase. During our talks, we agreed to diversify our mutual investments to include innovative sectors that will provide an advantage in today's conditions. We will continue our strong cooperation in healthcare with the joint operation of the Fier Friendship Hospital, which we built in record time in 2021,” President Erdoğan noted.
“We will also provide the necessary support to meet the needs of our strategic partner and NATO ally Albania's armed forces in terms of military equipment and training. My dear friend, Prime Minister Rama and I also discussed the joint fight against terrorist organizations, especially FETÖ. Inshallah, we will continue our fight against terrorist organizations effectively with the decisions we have taken today. We also exchanged views on global and regional issues with the Prime Minister. We follow with appreciation Albania's efforts to establish peace and stability both in our region and in the international arena. The Israeli atrocities in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in Gaza, and in Lebanon were among the top agenda items of our talks,” President Erdoğan said.
“THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA IS A DISGRACE TO ALL HUMANITY”
Stating that he also shared his views on the aggression of the Netanyahu government, which has now become a threat to the global order beyond its regional scope, President Erdoğan said: “The genocide that has been going on in Gaza for a year is the common disgrace to all humanity. Therefore, as the international community, we need to do our utmost to urgently establish a permanent ceasefire, deliver humanitarian aid and put the necessary pressure on Israel. I sincerely believe that Albania will fulfill its part in this regard.”
Noting that he and Prime Minister Rama will inaugurate the Namazgâh Mosque, which is a gift of the Turkish people to their Muslim brothers and sisters in Albania with the support of the Presidency of Religious Affairs and the Diyanet Foundation, President Erdoğan thanked those who contributed to the project.
“This outstanding edifice, the largest mosque in the Balkans, will be a place of worship where the sublime values of Islam, peace and unity, will flourish,” President Erdoğan said.
Thanking the Albanian people, especially Prime Minister Rama, for their sincere hospitality, President Erdoğan said: “I hope that our talks and the decisions as well as the steps we have taken and will take in various fields, including military, politics, economy, trade, tourism, will lead to auspicious results.”
After the press conference, President Erdoğan attended the lucheon given in his honor by Albanian Prime Minister Rama at the Palace of Brigades.
