During a significant official visit to the United Arab Emirates, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, the President of Albania, met with His Excellency Saqr Ghobash, the Chairman of the Federal National Council, at the council’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. This visit underscores the growing bilateral relations between the UAE and Albania, driven by a mutual commitment to enhance cooperation, particularly within parliamentary and institutional domains.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
In his welcoming remarks, Ghobash emphasised the importance of this visit as a milestone in the continuous development of relations between the two nations. He highlighted the crucial role of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering friendship and understanding between peoples. Both leaders discussed a variety of regional and international issues, addressing current developments and the need for global peace, security, and stability.
Commitment to Parliamentary Collaboration
Ghobash noted the recent momentum in high-level communication between the UAE and Albania, reflecting the depth of their ties and the mutual desire to translate this energy into a strong institutional partnership. He stressed the importance of establishing frameworks governing bilateral relations at both the executive and legislative levels, encouraging official and parliamentary visits, and exploring the potential for memorandums of understanding that would bolster coordination and cooperation in priority areas.
Support for Albania’s European Integration
During the meeting, Ghobash congratulated President Begaj on Albania’s progress in its EU accession negotiations, affirming the UAE’s support for this path as a contribution to enhancing stability and prosperity in the Balkan region. He reiterated the UAE’s firm stance against any acts of aggression targeting the security and sovereignty of nations, underscoring the need for respect for principles of good neighbourliness and non-interference in internal affairs, especially in light of Iran’s recent hostile actions directed at the UAE.
Ensuring Maritime Security
Ensuring the free navigation and security of international shipping routes, particularly the vital Strait of Hormuz, was also highlighted as a strategic importance by Ghobash. He condemned any actions that threaten shipping fluidity or destabilise regional stability.
Advancing Economic Partnerships
Both sides committed to activating direct cooperation between the Federal National Council and the Albanian Parliament, including the establishment of a parliamentary friendship group. This initiative aims to bolster parliamentary diplomacy and support the existing cooperation between the two countries. Ghobash praised the advanced level of economic relations, which reflect shared political will and mutual trust to expand economic and investment partnerships.
Appreciation from the Albanian President
In response, President Begaj emphasised the depth of the strategic ties between Albania and the UAE. He expressed appreciation for the progress made in their friendship and cooperation, acknowledging that mutual visits by senior officials have significantly contributed to enhancing communication and coordination, pushing the pathways of shared cooperation towards broader horizons.
President Begaj also appreciated the balanced and responsible positions of the UAE regarding various regional and international issues, grounded in firm principles of respect for international law and humanitarian law, as well as humanitarian assistance and civilian protection.
Conclusion
The meeting was attended by prominent members of the Federal National Council, including Mariam Majid Bin Thaniya, the second deputy to the council’s chairman, and Dr. Omar Al-Nuaimi, the council’s secretary-general, among others. The gathering reinforces the commitment of both nations to foster a strong partnership based on mutual respect and cooperation.