UAE, Albania Discuss Expanding Cooperation

Asharq Al-Awsat

24-02-2025

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and expand cooperation, particularly in key sectors such as the economy, trade, renewable energy, food security, and technology.
The discussions took place in Tirana during the UAE President's visit to Albania.
Rama reaffirmed Albania's commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE while leveraging opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The two leaders also reviewed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored that the UAE, as part of its consistent approach towards advancing global peace, supports all efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Balkan region.
He also emphasized the UAE's support for resolving conflicts through diplomacy and dialogue to foster regional development and prosperity and peace and security worldwide.
Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the significant progress in UAE-Albania relations in recent years, particularly in areas that contribute to both nations' joint development. He reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to further strengthening these ties in the coming period and noted that non-oil trade between the UAE and Albania grew by 129.4% in 2024 compared to 2023.
He also stated that the two nations engage in promising cooperation in renewable and clean energy in line with their shared sustainability ambitions, emphasizing the UAE's keenness to further bolster collaboration in this sector in the future.
Both sides affirmed their continued determination to advance relations for the benefit of their countries and peoples.
The UAE President and the Albanian Prime Minister witnessed the exchange of a framework for action between Masdar, TAQA Transmission, Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH) – Albania Power Corporation, and Operatori i Sistemit të Transmetimit (OST). The framework will progress their collaboration on the assessment and implementation of the initiatives of the tripartite strategic partnership framework related to renewable energy and energy infrastructure signed by the UAE, Albania, and Italy.
This framework aims to enhance cooperation in developing renewable energy projects, thereby improving energy security, promoting sustainable development, and accelerating the transition to clean energy in the Mediterranean region.
The UAE President and the Albanian PM also witnessed the exchange of a letter of engagement between Presight AI and the Albanian Ministry of Interior for the Albania Smart City Project with the aim of improving infrastructure and public facilities.