Albanian President Bajram Begaj has paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, marking the first-ever visit by a President of Albania to the country.
During his September 14 visit to Abu Dhabi, Begaj met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening the partnership between Albania and the Emirates.
Begaj expressed gratitude for the UAE’s friendship and support toward Albania and its people during difficult periods, highlighting the country’s solidarity during the Kosovo War, following Albania’s devastating 2019 earthquake and after the 2022 cyberattack.
The two presidents discussed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation and make greater use of opportunities in areas of shared interest. Begaj emphasized that political, economic and people-to-people ties between the two countries are expected to grow further, particularly following the opening of the UAE Embassy in Tirana.
Investment and economic cooperation were among the key topics of the talks. Begaj encouraged stronger bilateral investment and greater involvement from Emirati investors in Albania, particularly in infrastructure, energy, innovation, tourism and other strategic sectors.
The two leaders also exchanged views on international developments and multilateral cooperation, noting shared priorities concerning peace, security and sustainable development.
During his stay in the UAE, Begaj also held meetings with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The visit represents a significant step in strengthening relations between Albania and the UAE, with both sides signaling an interest in expanding their partnership across political, economic and strategic fields.
