TIRANA, May 29 /ATA/ Albania and Slovenia have initiated negotiations for the conclusion of a hybrid agreement in the field of employment and social security.
Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, stated that during the official meeting held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the Albanian delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, Olta Manjani, while the Slovenian side was headed by State Secretary Igor Feketija.
Gonxhja stated that “the agreement aims to lay a sustainable basis for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of employment and social security, ensuring that citizens do not lose their working years for retirement purposes and exercise employment rights in both states.”
He affirmed that this agreement constitutes a further milestone in advancing the European integration process, bringing the total number of bilateral agreements finalized in the field of social protection to 21.
The agreement on the mutual recognition of pension contributions between Albania and Italy was ratified and is set to take effect beginning in June. It is expected to benefit more than 500,000 Albanian citizens alongside a substantial number of Italian nationals.
Since 2005, Albania has signed a series of agreements in the field of social security, including with Turkey, Belgium, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania, Kosovo, the Swiss Confederation, and Croatia.
Agreements with Montenegro and Bulgaria are also set to take effect.
Meanwhile, agreements with Poland and Serbia are currently in progress, and countries such as Spain, Denmark, Moldova, and the United Arab Emirates have expressed their willingness to commence negotiations.
The government is nearing approval to begin negotiations with France.
Technical discussions with Greece continue, as the process is lengthy and challenging.
Meanwhile, negotiations with Latvia began in April, and talks with Moldova commenced in May.
An agreement has been reached with Israel, and the agendas are being coordinated, bringing the total number of agreements concluded to approximately 27-28.
/sm/
