The talks focused on fostering new partnerships, promoting each country’s tourist destinations and expanding cooperation between tourism operators in Albania and Azerbaijan.

According to the National Tourism Agency, the meeting aimed to create new opportunities for tourism exchanges between the two countries and encourage closer ties between their respective tourism industries.

Through partnerships and the exchange of expertise, Albania aims to strengthen its presence in the Azerbaijani market by promoting its destinations, culture and hospitality, while encouraging greater tourist flows in both directions.

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The event was organized by the Academy of Sciences of Albania in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Albania. Attendees included President of the Academy, Academician Skënder Gjinushi; Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Albania Anar Huseynov; the book’s author—who also serves as Director of the Center for the History of the Caucasus—Rizvan Huseynov; as well as scholars and representatives of the Udi community.

The Scientific Secretary of the Academy of Sciences, Academician Anila Hoda, hailed the event as a contribution to enrich the scholarly and cultural dialogue between Albania and Azerbaijan. She emphasized that the publication of the work in Albanian offers scholars and readers the opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the history and cultural heritage of Caucasian Albania, including the region’s ancient history, art, architecture, religious life and Christian heritage.

Hoda highlighted the importance of expanding cooperation between the two academies, noting that the memorandum of cooperation paves the way for joint projects, scholar exchanges and academic publications.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Albania Anar Huseynov commended the event held at the Academy of Sciences, underscoring the importance of studying and promoting the history of Caucasian Albania and its historical, cultural, religious and architectural heritage.

He emphasized the importance of disseminating accurate information regarding this history and noted that Huseynov’s book offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding of this heritage and encourages further academic research. During the event, Academician Gëzim Hoxha, Head of the Section of Social and Albanological Sciences, delivered a lecture entitled “An Overview of the History of Caucasian Albania,” in which he praised the work as a contribution to understanding the history, culture, and religious traditions of the region.

Hoxha highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches—integrating history, archaeology, philology and epigraphy—as well as the use of diverse ancient and medieval sources to reconstruct the history of Caucasian Albania.

Author Rizvan Huseynov presented the history of the Albanian Apostolic Church, the development of the Albanian script and culture and the region’s art, architecture and significant monuments.

In his presentation, he focused on the Church of St Elisha in the village of Kish, as well as the monastic complexes of Gandzasar, Khudavank and Agoghlan. Huseynov emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the work, which draws upon historical sources, medieval chronicles and archaeological, epigraphic and linguistic evidence. The book also devotes significant attention to the history of the Albanian heritage and identity across various historical periods, as well as the role of the Udi community in preserving the Christian tradition of Caucasian Albania.

At the conclusion of the event, Robert Mobili, head of the Udi-Albanian Christian Community in Azerbaijan, spoke about the nearly two-thousand-year history of Christianity in the region and the historical and archaeological evidence regarding the development of ecclesiastical organization.

He also highlighted the period following Azerbaijan’s independence, which saw the restoration of churches and places of worship and the revival of the Udi community’s religious life, describing this process as an example of interfaith coexistence.

The event was hailed as an opportunity to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation between Albania and Azerbaijan and to encourage further research into the history and heritage of Caucasian Albania.

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Hosted under the auspices of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the forum unites world leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to forge actionable solutions for sustainable urbanization and the future of global cities.

Deputy PM Koçiu will advocate for safe, inclusive and climate-resilient urban environments.

She will illustrate these goals by detailing Tirana’s remarkable urban transformation and the implementation of the country’s ‘Urban Renaissance’ program.

Koçiu will also outline Albania’s urban development priorities: strengthening climate resilience, enhancing urban livability, and advancing the ‘Smart City’ initiative through data-driven technology. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

In a post on social media platform X, the government head said the Iranian drone attack targeted civilian infrastructure in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region and wounded civilians.

“The attack launched against the territory of Azerbaijan, targeting civilian infrastructure in the Nakhchivan region and injuring civilians, is yet another grave and unacceptable act of aggression by the Khomeinist Republic of Iran against neighboring countries whose only “sin” they have in common, is to shine on the world stage through development, prosperity, and openness, making the lives of their people better every day and making Iran appear even darker and blinder under its satanic regime,” PM Rama said.

PM Rama underlined that Azerbaijan is a valued friend and ally of Albania, a nation that has risen high since regaining its independence from the Soviet Union.

“Its national pride, resilience, and commitment to development, combined with its readiness for moderation and its open arms for cooperation with all, have earned it the respect of many around the world,” he wrote.

“The Azerbaijani people, like the people of other countries senselessly targeted in recent days, deserve only respect, security and freedom from intimidation,” the Premier added.

Rama stated that “every attempt by the evil regime in Tehran to terrorize civilian populations or destabilize peaceful neighboring countries in order to provoke them against the United States and Israel’s fully justified response to the Khomeinist Republic must not only be condemned with the utmost clarity, but must also serve as yet another reason to fully isolate that regime in every possible way from every possible part of the world.”

“When the civilian infrastructure of other countries is targeted and sovereign borders are violated, the line between aggression and terrorism disappears. This is why the time has come for all states and institutions that believe in stability, the rule based international order, and peaceful coexistence not merely to distance themselves from a regime that repeatedly exports violence and intimidation beyond its borders, but to agree on what it truly is, a Terrorist State,” he added.

Rama said Albania stood firmly with Azerbaijan, its leadership and its people, and called for unity among countries that “choose peace” in response to acts of aggression.

“We stand firmly with Azerbaijan, with its strong leadership and its proud people. The path forward must be clear. Aggression must be isolated and aggressors must be unequivocally condemned. Those who choose the path of violence must face the growing unity of those who choose peace,” he concluded.

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The exhibition brings the tradition of weaving through the stories, techniques and craftsmanship of the artisans who keep this heritage alive. One can find a meeting of cultures in the colorful carpets where artisans from Albania and Azerbaijan share their work, experiences and passion that are passed down from the older generation to the young people.

The public can have a taste of dialogue between Azerbaijani and Albanian carpet art until January 20, 2026.

The exhibition “Healthy is the hand that creates!” is curated by Edit Pula and Azerkhalcha carpet showroom.

The Art Gallery highlighted the important collaboration launched nine months ago between the Tirana Art Gallery and Azerkhalcha, Azerbaijani carpet weaving, with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

Azerbaijan will be a very important partner in support of Albanian sports and Minister Gayibov expressed all his support for promoting cooperation between the two Olympic Committees, especially in the qualification of coaches in training camps in Azerbaijan.

Minister Gayibov will lead the Azerbaijani delegation, which will soon visit Tirana to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Olympic Committees.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee Fidel Ylli was accompanied by President of the European Weightlifting Federation Astrit Hasani and Member of the Board of the Albanian National Olympic Committee and President of the Gymnastics Federation Leonard Lulaj. /gj.m//a.f/p.s./

Ylli was received at the offices of the Azerbaijan Olympic Committee in Baku by Vice President Çingiz Huseynzade and had a very warm and friendly conversation.

They discussed mainly on promotion of cooperation between Olympic Committees in various sports disciplines.

Within the current year, the two Olympic Committees in cooperation with the homologous federations of wrestling, weightlifting, judo, boxing, taekwondo, shooting, and gymnastics will sign a memorandum of cooperation in Tirana.

President Fidel Ylli was accompanied at the meeting by President of the European Weightlifting Federation, dr. Astrit Hasani and President of the Gymnastics Federation Leonard Lulaj. Also attending were Director of External Relations of Azerbaijan Olympic Committee Anar Begirov and Director of Marketing Sakina Viliyeva. /gj.m/r.e//a.f/p.s./

President Begaj praised the signing of key declarations and documents under the auspices of the President of the United States, and commended Aliyev’s leadership and commitment to the peace process.

President Aliyev thanked his Albanian counterpart for the support, emphasizing that Azerbaijan had initiated the regional peace agenda and drafted the text of the proposed peace agreement.

He also highlighted the importance of the documents adopted during recent talks in Washington, and the U.S. President’s role in advancing the peace efforts.

Both leaders reaffirmed the strong cooperation and mutual support between Azerbaijan and Albania within international organizations.

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Attending the event were about 140 international delegates from 52 countries, representatives of more than 30 news agencies, 7 international organizations and nearly 80 different media outlets, including the Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

The forum focused on the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on the production and spread of news, as well as the vital significance of media education to combat disinformation and ensure access to accurate and reliable information.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the forum.

The guests and participants of the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum also visited the main attractions, ancient historical monuments and the creative studio “Hochazfilm” in the city of Lachin.

The forum ended with a discussion on the impact of social networks on public trust and there was emphasized the need for cooperation between the states, digital platforms and media to build a safer and more reliable information environment for today’s societies.

This forum confirmed once again the important role of Azerbaijan as an international center for dialogue on contemporary media and information challenges. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Ambassador Anar Huseynov participated in the event and handed over food packages on behalf of the embassy.

He was warmly welcomed by Mimoza Manaj, Program Director, Arnita Ponari, Family Care Coordinator and Luiza Skerja, Corporate Fundraising Expert of the SOS Children’s Village.

They also paid a short visit to the village premises, which enabled the ambassador to gain a deeper understanding of the village’s activities and the living conditions of the children. The ambassador met with the children and exchanged friendly conversations with them.

During his visit, the ambassador also expressed his sincere appreciation for the vital role the village plays in supporting vulnerable children.

He also conveyed the embassy’s readiness to contribute further and remain actively engaged in similar humanitarian initiatives.

Taking this opportunity, the embassy also conveyed its best wishes to the friendly Albanian people for a prosperous and peaceful Greater Bajram. /j.p/p.s./