Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. The leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional issues, and global challenges during their closed-door meeting at Turkevi, Turkey’s diplomatic center in New York.

Why is this important

The meeting underscores Albania’s strategic ties with Turkey, a key regional player, and the relationship between the two leaders. Both countries continue to navigate complex regional dynamics while seeking to expand bilateral cooperation. Their discussions at the UN reflect a shared commitment to addressing regional and global issues, including stability in the Balkans and the broader Mediterranean region.

The meeting

Rama shared photos of the meeting on social media, showing both leaders and their delegations at the UN, where the “Summit for the Future” also took place. According to Turkey’s state news agency, Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations in all areas.

Albania-Turkey relations:

Albania and Turkey share strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties. Turkey is one of Albania’s strategic partners and a key economic partner, with significant investments in infrastructure, energy, and healthcare. Both countries collaborate closely on security and military matters as NATO allies. The relationship is also bolstered by shared historical and cultural connections, with both nations emphasizing cooperation on regional stability.

Erdogan’s remarks on Israel

During the meeting, Erdogan also addressed ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly criticizing Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories. He condemned what he described as “massacres” in Gaza and called for an end to human rights violations and breaches of international law.

“These violations must end, and Israel will be forced to stop if all the world’s states act together in a peace-oriented manner,” Erdogan said, stressing the need for a unified global response.