After the ceremony, Ambassador Canaj had a courtesy meeting with President Vucic.

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić also attended the meeting, mainly focusing on bilateral relations, ways to further expand and strengthen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, Albanian Embassy in Belgrade said.

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Ambassador Malaj said it was a privilege to represent Albania in Kosovo and voiced full support for President Osmani.

“I expressed my full support to President Osmani. It is a privilege for me to represent the Republic of Albania as Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo,” Malaj said.

The President’s office said that Osmani accepted the Letters of Credence of the new Ambassador Petrit Malaj and expressed confidence that during his tenure the bilateral relations will further strengthen.

President Osmani said that cooperation between Kosovo and Albania, and unification of the foreign policy in particular, remains a top priority.

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Ambassador Robo told the media that as many as 1762 people have lost their lives, whereas 12068 others have been injured and 5606 have collapsed in the affected provinces of Türkiye.

“Fortunately, there are no reports showing that Albanian citizens are among the earthquake victims,” he affirmed.

According to Ambassador Robo, presence of the Albanian nationals in the affected areas is very limited. “Members of the small Albanian community there told us they have been through hell, but fortunately they are all safe and sound. We are contacting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior constantly,” he said.

The search and rescue operations continue intensively in the 10 affected Turkish cities despite extreme weather conditions with freezing temperatures and snow.

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TIRANA, Nov 22 /ATA/ – Albania’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Ermal Dredha affirmed the excellent ties between our two countries, echoed both on the bilateral aspect, as well as on the steady and solid cooperation based on mutual benefit within the international bodies.

In an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), Albanian diplomat Dredha outlined the history of the relations between Albania and the United Arab Emirates, since this year coincides with the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic bilateral ties on June 1, 1992.

Ambassador Dredha dwelled upon the United Arab Emirates’ aid to Albania to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Albania on November 2019, as well as the financial assistance for major infrastructure projects, including construction of the tunnel along Tirana-Elbasan highway or the reconstruction and expansion of Tirana’s main Boulevard.

Dredha singled out the new tourist port project in Durres that, according to him, will help not only to promote Albania as a secure and attractive destination for foreign investment projects, but it will also create at least 12,000 new jobs.

In his interview with Albania’s official news agency, diplomat Dredha also congratulated ATA, represented by the Agency’s Director -General Valbona Zhupa, on the Global Media Congress  in Abu Dhabi from November 15 to 17 under the patronage of UAE Deputy Prime Minister And Minister Of Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The forum was organized by the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Ambassador Dredha also praised the cooperation agreement between ATA and the Emirates News Agency (WAM) signed by ATA’s Director-General, Valbona Zhupa, and Director-General of WAM, Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, to strengthen cooperation between the two news organizations to promote the exchange of news and media content, as well as photo and video materials to help achieve their common goals, providing more access to news stories and multimedia materials on economy, tourism, arts and culture.

ATA participated with its stand at the Global Media Congress, the first of its kind in the Middle East that brought together more than 200 chief executives and 1,200 media and business representatives from six continents.

Mr. Dredha, this year marks the 30^th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Albania and the United Arab Emirates. Which are according to you some of the most key moments to influence expansion of relations and cooperation between the two countries?

Albania and the United Arab Emirates enjoy excellent relations which are reflected both in the bilateral aspect and in the steady mutually beneficial cooperation within the international bodies. This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries, precisely on June 1, 1992.

In 2010, Albania formally opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi, whereas UEA’s Embassy in Athens covers Albania too.

Albania sees the United Arab Emirates as an important partner not only bilaterally, but also as a key to the stability in the Middle East and a wider region.

It is worth noting that the relations between the countries have grown significantly in recent years, featuring exchange of high-level visits, with frequent dialogue being an essential tool in enhancing cooperation and reaching understanding on various issues. The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has visited the United Arab Emirates five times in the last two years alone, showing readiness to bring friendly relations between the two nations closer.

Both countries have demonstrated mutual support in electing the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023, where we are maintaining a continued cooperation in promoting values ​​and peace in the world.

The United Arab Emirates and its visionary leaders have promptly supported Albanian people in the post-earthquake recovery process and in the effort to deal with difficult times our country has been facing and we are really grateful for that.

In early 1999, the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE nation, was among the first world leaders to voice support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) decision to launch its air campaign in a bid to force Serbia to stop its genocide actions against the people of Kosovo. From the end of 1999 until 2001, the UAE’s army contingent serving as part of the UN’s KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo was the largest one from non-NATO nations.

Mr. Ambassador, which are the areas or concrete assistance the UAE government offered to Albania?

The UAE government has supported a series of strategic projects in Albania through grants or soft loans channelled through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). I avail myself of this opportunity to highlight: the financial assistance for construction of Tirana-Elbasan motorway; reconstruction and expansion of Tirana’s main thoroughfare; the UAE assistance to cope with the Sars-2, COVID-19 pandemic, as well, most importantly, prompt reaction of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President (the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces back then), to support Albania in the aftermath of the devastating and deadly earthquake that hit our country on November 26, 2019. Under an urgent decision, the UAE immediately donated 3 million euros to help the quake-affected families and, at the International Donors’ Conference in Brussels in February 2020, the United Arab Emirates allocated a 70 million euro grant, (the highest pledge provided by a state to support the country’s post-earthquake reconstruction effort), to support construction of 2,000 housing units for the quake-affected families.

How do you consider the project on construction of the new tourist port in Durrës by Emaar Company?

As for the economic cooperation between the two countries, enhancing the trade relations remains of particular importance, but in the meantime it is worth highlighting as a key moment the interest of one of the largest UAE-based construction companies, namely Emaar Company, as the contract was formally signed with the Albanian government in August 2022 after a three-year negotiating process with the CEO of Emaar, Mr. Mohammed Al Abaar, clearing the way paved the way for the construction of the ambitious Durres waterfront project, a multidimensional project which, of course, will not only promote Albania as a safe destination for foreign investments, but at the same time, it will create at least 12,000 new jobs.

Mr. Dredha, tourism is one of the important sectors in the relations between the two countries. In your opinion, how much priority has been attached to this sector and how was the launch of direct flights received?

After continued efforts and talks, the Air carrier Flydubai became the first UAE-based airline to operate direct flights between the two countries in March 2021, officially including Albania on the map of its new destinations. It is worth noting that, according to the company managers, this was a successful decision, as reflected in the high number of travellers from both directions. In September 2021, the Wizzair Abu Dhabi air carrier would do the same, adding Albania to the list of new destinations. I would like to point out this fact, because the decision to launch direct flights has significantly reduced not only the costs and the wait hours for citizens from both countries, but at the same time, it has served as a connecting bridge to get to know more closely the customs, culture, history, natural beauties, and moreover, the creation of the opportunity for the growth in trade exchanges and the attraction of direct investments.

The United Arab Emirates has decided to lift the visa requirements for the Albanian citizens and Albanian passport holders. Both parties are working to complete the internal procedures and the decision is expected to enter into force very soon. This decision best reflects the efforts to strengthen relations between Albania and the United Arab Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates Culture Week was celebrated in November. Culture is indeed what brings people and the nations together, isn’t it?

Yes, it is true. The UAE Culture Week was celebrated as part of the cultural relations between the two countries from November 12 to 18, 2022, featuring a range of cultural events seeing performance of UAE artists not only in Tirana, but also in other cities across Albania. The events included exhibitions, showcasing textiles, Islamic art, falconry which is an important and traditional form of hunting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and wider Arabian Peninsula, degustation of the famous Arabic coffee etc. The UAE Culture Week also featured a performance by the UAE National Ensemble at the Palace of Brigades, an ensemble founded in January 2020 under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Youth of the United Arab Emirates, as part of its strategy to empower and promote the cultural and creative sector, to give young people the opportunity to develop and present their creativity through the musical band, and at the same time to preserve the spirit of the Emirates’ identity, artistically and to enrich the National Library of the State with outstanding musical and artistic creations.

The Memorandum of Cooperation between the two Ministries of Culture was signed on the sidelines of this event in order to foster and enhance cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Let us also not forget Albania’s participation in the “EXPO 2020 DUBAI” international fair alongside 190 participating countries, where Albania also had its own pavilion entitled “Albania a Timeless Trip”. Albania’s participation was made possible through the help and support of the United Arab Emirates.

Promoting Albania as a reliable commercial partner in terms of foreign investments in a number of important sectors for the country such as energy, tourism, infrastructure, agriculture remains one of the main objectives. This is also echoed in several agreements that Albania and the United Arab Emirates have signed on economic cooperation, including the Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investments, which helps and protects investors from both countries.

Mr. Ambassador, can you tell us something about the Albanian community in the United Arab Emirates?

It is actually the people who take the relationship between countries to another level. In this context, the Albanian Embassy in the UAE is particularly grateful for the role played by the Albanian community living in the UAE (although a young and small community), in terms of promoting the values, traditions, culture and beauties of the country. I would also proudly note that Albanians residing in the United Arab Emirates are best integrating within a relatively short time.

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