King Abdullah II of Jordan visits Albania, pledges support for Kosovo recognition and stronger ties
Photo: Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania and King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan arrived in Tirana on Friday for an official visit at the invitation of Albanian President Bajram Begaj. During his stay, he met with both President Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama, who described the Jordanian monarch as “a valued friend.”
Why is this important: The visit strengthens Albania’s diplomatic profile and deepens ties with a key Middle Eastern partner. Most notably, King Abdullah expressed support for Kosovo’s international recognition—a critical point for Albania’s foreign policy.
Context: President Begaj and King Abdullah discussed a broad agenda, including political dialogue, trade expansion, investment, and multilateral cooperation. Special attention was given to the role Jordan can play in lobbying for Kosovo’s recognition on the global stage.
The leaders also reiterated a shared commitment to peace in the Middle East. Both countries support a two-state solution as the only path to a just and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The two heads of state emphasized the potential for deeper economic cooperation—especially in tourism, culture, and trade. President Begaj said Albania is ready to establish a full legal framework to attract Jordanian investments and facilitate business.
The goal, both leaders agreed, is to increase bilateral tourism and commercial exchange, capitalizing on Albania’s growing appeal as a Mediterranean destination.
Jordan’s role in ME: Jordan plays a delicate role in regional geopolitics. Though it maintains a peace agreement and security ties with Israel, including a 2021 defense pact with the U.S., it also has strong cultural and demographic ties to Palestine.
In April, Jordan reportedly played a key role in intercepting Iranian rockets aimed at Israel, a move that sparked controversy at home. Nonetheless, King Abdullah’s stance remains consistent: diplomacy and balance over escalation.
A return visit to Tirana: This is not King Abdullah’s first visit to Albania. He last came to Tirana in 2015, where he met then-President Bujar Nishani and Prime Minister Rama. His return after a decade signals a renewed focus on Albanian-Jordanian relations amid broader shifts in global alliances.
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