GREECE

Political Dialogue: The Republic of Albania and the Republic of Greece have good neighborly relations, as two NATO member countries, with common vital interests, sharing the common view that these relations are of strategic importance in the region.

Despite the fact that diplomatic relations between Albania and Greece were officially restored on May 6, 1971, our relations with Greece date of much earlier time, with strong historical and human ties.

Greece supports and has officially expressed support for the process of Albania’s integration into the EU. Albania considers Greece a precious neighbor, but also a partner on its way to democracy, progress and European integration.

Both sides appreciate and are committed to handling, in compliance with international law, the internal legal framework and good neighborly relations, all the problems inherited from the distant or recent past and to find solutions accepted by the parties.

Both countries have continuously continued bilateral dialogue and cooperation. It is considered as indicative, the development of many bilateral meetings at different levels, where it was agreed to set a concrete cooperation agenda, as well as for the continuation of the good progress of working groups for various issues of mutual interest. Both sides are working to further the progress made over the past years in the framework of the bilateral mechanism.

The Greek minority in Albania and the large community of Albanian immigrants in Greece constitute strong bridges of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Albanians living in Greece represent the largest community of foreigners there, being an important contributing factor, not only in the life of that country, but also in our relations.

Considering the Greek minority as an added value of our country, Albania continues to be fully engaged in respect and protection of the rights of national minorities. Albania has significantly improved the legal framework of policies for the protection of minorities, adopting in October 2017 a specific law for their protection, based on international expertise, through a comprehensive consultation process, including representatives of the Greek minority in Albania.

Economic- commercial cooperation: Greece continues to be one of Albania’s most important economic partners. For years it has been at the top of the list of partners in trade and foreign direct investments. A significant part of the economic and financial activity of Albania has been oriented towards it, making the economies of both countries to be connected between them. Both countries have mutual interests in the development, deepening and expansion of cooperation in many areas of economic interest.