President Erdoğan: We plan to increase our investments in infrastructure and tourism in Albania
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama of Albania at the Presidential Complex.
“You can see various traces of our shared history and culture across Albania”
Noting that Albania was a friendly and brotherly ally, President Erdoğan said: “For centuries, Turkey and Albania as two brotherly countries lived together, fought together and left indelible marks on history together.”
“You can see various traces of our shared history and culture across Albania from Elbasan to Korça, from Shkodra to Vlore,” President Erdoğan said. “We deem it our duty to further strengthen these ties, inspired by ancient history.”
“By signing the Joint Political Declaration on establishing High-Level Cooperation Council, we elevated our relations to the level of strategic partnership. This step will enable us to further improve our cooperation in all areas,” President Erdoğan said.
“TURKEY RUSHED TO HELP THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE”
Recalling the two severe earthquakes that hit Albania in 2019, President Erdoğan said: “Turkey rushed to help the Albanian people. We mobilized all our means and capabilities from search and rescue to other assistance for the Albanian people.”
“Turkey decided to build 552 housing units for the Albanian people. The groundbreaking ceremony for the houses to be built by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKİ) was held on December 23, 2020. The buildings will be completed and handed over to those in need in August, 2021,” President Erdoğan said.
“I believe those houses will be a new symbol of the shared fate of Turkey and Albania. I wish Allah’s mercy upon the Albanian people who lost their lives and extend my condolences to their families,” President Erdoğan added.
“WE GREATLY VALUE CARRYING THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, WHICH REFLECT OUR SHARED CULTURE, TO THE FUTURE”
Noting that Turkish-Albanian economic ties were also discussed during the talks, President Erdoğan underscored that Turkey was the 4th largest trade partner of Albania.
“If contracting services are also taken into account, Turkey is the biggest foreign investor country in Albania with its $3.5-billion investments. We have over 600 companies operating in Albania, which provide jobs to nearly 15 thousand Albanian people. We plan to increase our investments in Albania, especially in infrastructure and tourism, in the period ahead. We envision to elevate our economic cooperation to a new dimension. We greatly value carrying the historical buildings, which reflect our shared culture from the Ottoman era, to the future. Through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), we conducted over 500 restoration projects, worth nearly €20 million, in Albania,” President Erdoğan said.
“WE WILL NOT ALLOW THE FETÖ TO POISON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES”
“One of the main topics on our agenda was the fight against terror and cooperation in the areas of defense and military,” President Erdoğan noted.
“We agree with the Albanian authorities that the FETÖ poses a threat to both our countries,” President Erdoğan underscored. “We will not allow the FETÖ to poison the relations between the two countries. Turkey, with all its relevant institutions particularly the Maarif Foundation, stands with Albania.”
President Erdoğan also announced the plan to build a new hospital in Albania. “We highly value the hospital to be built in Albania,” President Erdoğan said.
Prior to their remarks, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Rama signed the Joint Political Declaration on establishing High-Level Cooperation Council.
