Speaking at a joint news conference in Tirana with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, Hoxha said Albania continued to support peace, dialogue and international cooperation, stressing the importance of regional security and stability.

“Albania remains firmly committed to peace, dialogue and international cooperation. We have supported and will continue to support all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, as well as ensuring security,” Hoxha said.

Hoxha also condemned the activities of Iran and groups linked to it, describing them as a threat to peace and stability across the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Hoxha recalled that Albania had severed diplomatic relations with Iran over Tehran’s policies and actions against Albania and its partners.

“In this context, we strongly condemn Iran’s continued destabilising activities and those of groups linked to it, as well as its recent attacks across the Middle East, which threaten regional peace, security and stability,” Hoxha said.

“Given Iran’s policies and actions against Albania and our partners, we have severed diplomatic relations with Iran. Alongside other countries and partners, Albania has also designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation,” he added.

The two ministers also exchanged views on developments in the Western Balkans, with Hoxha emphasising Albania’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation.

“We exchanged views on developments in the Western Balkans. I stressed the fundamental importance Albania attaches to stability and cooperation in the region. In this regard, I underlined that Israel’s recognition of Kosovo and the close relations established between them form part of joint efforts to strengthen stability and cooperation in the Western Balkans,” Hoxha said.

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