Embassy of the Republic of Albania opened in Sarajevo

(Patria) - The Embassy of the Republic of Albania to Bosnia and Herzegovina was officially opened in Sarajevo today.

The ribbon was cut by the Minister of Defense of BiH Zukan Helez and the Minister of European and Foreign Affairs of Albania Igli Hasani.



- It was my pleasure to host Minister Hasani for a working lunch and to officially open the Embassy of Albania to BiH together with him.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Albania are celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Over these 33 years, our bilateral and overall relations have developed to become friendly today.

Our two countries are not immediate neighbors, but our friendship and understanding is like with immediate neighbors - said Helez.



He states that regional cooperation is one of BiH's foreign policy priorities.

- The key element that facilitates and accelerates the European integration process for the Western Balkan countries is our cooperation.

Euro-Atlantic cooperation is not only in the interest of our two countries, but is crucial for building lasting stability in a region that has had a turbulent past in recent decades.

Although our two countries have good political relations, our economic cooperation is not at that level. Trade exchange between BiH and Albania does not show significant figures.



I am sure that there are products and goods in BiH that would be of interest to the citizens of Albania, just as there are products in Albania that are of interest to the citizens of our country - says Helez.

He reminds that there are a number of signed agreements that regulate the cooperation between the two countries, as well as a number of agreements that are in the process of harmonization, signing, and ratification.

- It is particularly necessary to speed up the signing of agreements that will improve the cooperation between our two countries in the field of tourism. Albania is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for summer tourism, while BiH has a developed and well-known winter tourism offer.



Tourists from Albania and BiH can mutually contribute to the growth of the tourism sector in both countries. In this context, I hope that we will soon have a regular flight line Sarajevo - Tirana - said Helez.

He also emphasizes that he is convinced that the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in our country will contribute to the improvement of the overall relations between friendly Albania and BiH - especially economic, cultural, and tourism cooperation.

- I want to emphasize that we, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will provide all necessary assistance and support to the new Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to our country in his work.



Certainly, the opening of our country's embassy in Albania would make a significant contribution to our mutual cooperation. I hope that we will soon organize such a ceremony at the BiH Embassy in Tirana.

Thank you to the esteemed Minister Hasani, because the Republic of Albania was a co-sponsor of the adoption of the Resolution on the Genocide in Srebrenica in the UN General Assembly. This means a lot to us in Bosnia and Herzegovina - concluded Helez.