According to the Ministry, the primary focus lies on the interwar period and regional Albanian heritage.

“The cooperation has already a concrete starting point: documents selected by the Institute’s researchers from the Historical and Diplomatic Archive. Studying these documents will lay the groundwork for joint research, publications and scholarly activities,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the archival documents shed light on the activities of diplomatic and consular missions, relations with Albanian communities in the region, and efforts to preserve Albanian identity, education and culture.

“The years 1918–1939 brought significant political and social changes that impacted the lives of Albanians beyond the borders of the Albanian state. Archival documents provide evidence of the activities of diplomatic and consular missions, ties with Albanians in the region and efforts to preserve Albanian identity, education and culture,” the Ministry said.

MEFA appreciated that, “The value of an archive is also revealed in what happens after a file is opened: a fact clarified, a connection uncovered, a story completed.”

“By studying this evidence together, we bring Albanian heritage closer to researchers and the public,” the ministry said.

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In a statement to the media, the ministry said that so far there are no reports of any Albanian national injured or hurt.

Currently, according to the ministry, there have been identified five Albanian nationals in Israel: three for tourism purposes and two with temporary residence.

“Albania’s Embassy in Tel Aviv is in constant contact with them. All are in good health, are informed and are following the security instructions of the Israeli authorities,” the press release states.

The ministry also announced that due to the situation, flights have been suspended.

“For any additional information and emergency needs, please contact the Albanian Embassy in Tel Aviv on the emergency numbers: +972 54 480 6601; +972 54 904 2813,” the ministry concluded.

Iran has fired hundreds of missiles on Israel in response to large-scale Israeli airstrikes on Iran, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

The ministry said that this call is made in function of the safety of Albanian citizens, who plan to travel outside the Republic of Albania.

“Dear citizens of the Republic of Albania, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, being concerned of the safety of Albanian citizens who plan to travel outside the Republic of Albania, instructs them to avoid traveling to areas involved in military conflicts, countries with political unrest, epidemic or natural disaster”, is read in the press release of the ministry.

The ministry has also made available for the citizens in its webpage the necessary contacts of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts of the Republic of Albania. /r.e/p.s./

During his stay in Geneva, Switzerland, Foreign Minister attended the Friends of Accountability for the Aggression against Ukraine meeting.

“I reaffirmed Albania’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, justice accountability  and peace,” Hasani said.

Foreign Minister welcomed accountability initiatives and efforts to expose war crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine.

“We commend accountability initiatives, including Ukraine’s authorities efforts to expose war crimes, grave human rights violations and Russia’s violations of international law. Dignity and justice must be restored for the countless victims of this war and those responsible must be held to account,” he stated.

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The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani condemned the unjustified overnight assault on Ukraine in a statement via the social media.

“Today Ukraine faced the most severe Russian air assault to date. Countless missiles and drones relentlessly targeted civilian infrastructure, causing unfathomable destruction and tragic loss of innocent lives,” Hasani said in his statement.

“Albania strongly condemns these senseless, unjustified attacks from Russia,” Foreign Minister stated.

Several cities across Ukraine, including Kharkiv (northeast), Lviv (west) and Odessa (south) were attacked by Russian air forces.

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He said that the state budget for the Foreign Ministry is 9% higher than in 2023.

Hasani presented the 2024 draft budget for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at deliberations of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, saying the proposed budget has been designed to fully address the needs of the diplomatic and consular activities.

According to him, the proposed state budget also includes significant pay rise for the Foreign Service.

“The draft budget for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs totals 3.2 billion lek. This budget provides for the strategy and policy implementation and the objectives of the foreign service,” he said.

Foreign Minister underlined that budget will largely support European integration process and the strategic foreign policy activities.

He also dwelled on contribution and consolidation of Albania’s active role within the international bodies.

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The Foreign Ministry said that 17 of them are traveling to Albania after arriving in Athens earlier today and will then be transported to the cities where they live and work in Tirana, Gjirokastra, Korça and Vlora.

The Foreign Minister also said it is constantly communicating with all the embassies and foreign ministries of the countries in the region to assist all Albanian nationals wishing to return back home.

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Baerbock spoke to reporters at the start of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process in Tirana.

She emphasized that, “We have to move towards the EU faster and for this reason the Berlin Process is crucial regarding the interconnection in the region, cooperation and other agreements on mobility”.

However, according to the German chief diplomat, security and safety are the foundation.

“Therefore, we underline that the tensions of the recent days between Serbia and Kosovo are also endangering the Berlin Process. I make a strong call, together with the representatives of the European Union, but also of the USA, to Serbia, which should reduce the forces that we have seen recently. But, the NATO, through KFOR, must also show a greater commitment in the region”, emphasized Baerbock.

The German diplomat is participating in the proceedings of the summit of the Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process countries./p.s./ m.m/p.s./

Preceded by a reception, on Thursday, October 5, this meeting will bring together the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Western Balkans, other states participating in the Berlin Process, representatives of the EU, as well as regional organizations.

The Berlin Process is an initiative aimed at promotion of the regional cooperation in the Western Balkans while providing assistance for integration of the countries of this region into the European Union.

It was launched on August 28, 2014 by the former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

At a time when the European Union was facing numerous challenges and its enlargement was on hold, the Berlin Process was launched to preserve the stability of the Western Balkans, support ongoing reforms and advance cooperation between the countries of the region.

The main achievements of the Berlin Process are:

Creation of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO),

Western Balkan Chambers Investment Forum (WBCIF)

Creation of Green Corridors within the region and green corridors between WB and EU countries,

Roaming agreement (implementation started on July 1, 2021)

Agreement on the reduction of roaming charges between WB and the EU (implementation started on October 1, 2023)

The three mobility agreements are important achievements of regional cooperation within the Berlin process./p.s./

During a briefing after the meeting, Xhaçka said that they discussed on promotion of bilateral relations and their further strengthening in areas of common interest.

“The visit of the Canadian foreign minister is an expression of the will to intensively develop our bilateral cooperation”, emphasized Xhaçka.

The minister underlined that in 35 years of diplomatic relations, Albania and Canada have seen constant growth of relations.

Xhaçka emphasized that the role and contribution of Canada in the international arena has increased significantly.

“Minister Joly has made a first-hand contribution to the intensification of relations between the two countries”, said Xhaçka, while adding that during the meeting they discussed the possibilities to increase Canadian presence and investments in Albania.

“I positively assessed the significance of reactivating the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives to support various programs”, added the minister.

Xhaçka said that the Social Insurance Agreement between Albania and Canada was part of the discussions.

“We expressed our unwavering support for the sovereignty of Ukraine”, said Xhaçka, who added that, “We emphasized the need to strengthen our bilateral coordination with like-minded countries and our partners in the NATO”.

“Albania welcomes a greater and more intense involvement of Canadian businesses in its economy”, underlined Xhaçka, as she stated that, “We hope to open a new page in our relations, intensifying relations based on common values”

Xhaçka also emphasized that, “The Albanian government is fully committed to moving this relationship forward”.

“I also assured my colleague, and through her the government of Canada, that Albania welcomes a greater and more intensive involvement of Canadian businesses in its economy where there are undoubtedly great opportunities and potentials and that working together we can use the benefit of our two countries”, underlined Xhaçka.

“Finally, I would like to reiterate once again a message I gave to my colleague during the meeting. The intensification of visits, the deepening and expansion of relations between us is not a coincidence. This deepening of relations is built on a sound foundation of values and views on the world, on our trust and commitment to a future based on tolerance, diversity, democracy and respect for the law. It is this commitment to these values that constitutes the foundations on which I very much hope we will be able to open a new page in our relations, as two friendly and partner countries. I also expressed my willingness and the Albanian government to work with maximum dedication and will to move this relationship forward”, concluded Xhaçka. /p.s./