Albania inaugurates Kyiv Embassy
Albania has officially inaugurated its first embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. The embassy, which opened its doors at the end of last year, had already sustained minor damage during a Russian missile strike before it became fully operational. Fortunately, the damages were limited, and no casualties were reported.
Why is this important: Although diplomatic relations between Albania and Ukraine were established in 1993, Albania had never opened a diplomatic mission in Kyiv until now. In 2015, the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania was opened in Kharkiv. The establishment of the embassy underscores Albania’s growing commitment to Ukraine, particularly in light of the intensified ties since the onset of the Russian invasion.
Context: Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Albania and Ukraine have significantly strengthened their relations. Albania has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, dedicating much of its two-year chairmanship of the UN Security Council to initiatives that condemned Russian aggression and backed Kyiv. Albania co-sponsored every Ukraine-related resolution during its tenure alongside the United States.
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Kyiv just months after the war began, and Albania has supported Ukraine with financial aid and military equipment. On February 28, 2024, Tirana hosted the Ukraine Summit, where President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Albania for its unwavering support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and territorial integrity. During his meeting with Prime Minister Rama, Zelensky signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and Albania, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and Ukraine’s position in the Balkans.
The two leaders also discussed Ukraine’s defense needs and the possibility of joint weapons production. As a gesture of appreciation, President Zelensky awarded Prime Minister Rama the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, honoring his exceptional personal contributions to supporting Ukraine.
More recently, Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, reaffirmed Albania’s unwavering support during his two-day visit to Kyiv. Hasani emphasized Albania’s commitment to standing firmly with Ukraine in its pursuit of peace, security, and European integration. A Memorandum of Understanding focusing on European integration cooperation was also signed during his visit.
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