The Albanian delegation is led by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Olta Manjani, while the Greek delegation is led by Anna Rizou, Director of Insurance and Benefits.

General Director of the Insurance Institute Astrit Hado, made a general presentation of how the social insurance scheme works and the reforms we have undertaken so far, in order to improve the services offered.

This meeting follows the one held in Athens in September last year. It shows the positive will that the parties have to make it possible to reach a common agreement as soon as possible, so much desired by our compatriots.

The countries with which Albania has already agreements in the field of social insurance are Hungary, Canada, Turkey, Belgium, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Meanwhile, it is in the process of agreement in the field of social insurance with the Netherlands, Croatia, Romania, Greece, France and Italy./p.s./

Last week, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy Besart Kadia and General Director of the Social Insurance Institute Astrit Hado held the second round of talks on a draft bilateral agreement in Pristina.

For the Kosovo side, the negotiations were led by Head of the Division for Labour Relations, Social Dialogue, Safety and Health at Work Leonora Ahmeti, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Finance, Labour and Transfers Ilir Kapiti.

At the end of the meetings, it was agreed to deepen cooperation, as well as to finalize the full agreement on the coordination of social insurance schemes, in accordance with European legislation.

The object of this agreement are the benefits from the Albanian compulsory social insurance scheme which include cash benefits for maternity leave for employed persons, self-employed persons; cash benefits for accidents at work and occupational diseases for employed persons, as well as old-age, disability and family pension benefits for employed and self-employed persons.

Albania currently has agreements in the field of social insurance with: Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, North Macedonia, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Austria, Turkey and Belgium.

So far, 3,100 Albanian citizens living and working within the country have benefited from bilateral agreements.

These bilateral agreements provide social protection for Albanian citizens living in these countries./p.s./