On Tuesday, Albania and Italy signed an agreement on the recognition of social security contributions.

The agreement was signed in Rome by the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani.

In his remarks following the signing, Tajani emphasized that the finalization of this agreement offers many people security and a positive outlook for the future.

“It is a very important agreement. We have been waiting for this signature for about 15 years, which guarantees the rights of Italian workers in Albania or Albanian workers in Italy for pensions. I think this joint decision of Tirana and Rome offers many people security and a positive perspective for the future,” said Minister Tajani.

In his speech, Minister Hasani described the signing of the agreement as a very important moment for Albanians working in Italy.

He appreciated the 15-year efforts of the working groups of the two countries, as well as the personal commitment of Minister Tajani to reach the signing of the agreement.

“These have been 15 years of effort, appreciation to all those who have contributed to this moment. Thanks to Minister Tajani for his personal contribution,” said Hasani.

After signing, the agreement will be ratified by both contracting states, following their respective procedures, and the ratification instruments will be exchanged as soon as possible. On the first day of the second month after the exchange of ratification documents, the agreement will enter into force simultaneously with the Administrative Agreement for the implementing legislation of this agreement, which will become valid at the same time as this agreement enters into force.

The signing of the agreement comes after a long process that began in July 26, 2022, when Albania and Italy concluded the technical negotiation of the pension agreement.

There are about 550,000 Albanian citizens and about 20,000 Italian citizens set to benefit from this agreement, whose implementation will ensure the unification of contribution periods, making it possible for no working year to be lost.

The object of this agreement is the benefits from the mandatory Albanian social security scheme, including benefits for old-age pensions, disability pensions, family pensions, sickness and maternity benefits, and unemployment benefits.

Countries with which Albania has agreements in the field of social security are Hungary, Canada, Turkey, Belgium, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, Croatia, and Kosovo. Italy is added to this list with the entry into force of the agreement.

Meanwhile, agreements in the field of social security with the Netherlands, Romania, Greece, and France are in the process.