Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama signed the “Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation” between the two countries in Tirana on Wednesday.

They signed this treaty within the framework of the “Ukraine – Southeast Europe” summit being held in the Albanian capital.

The Albanian Prime Minister’s office said the treaty “serves to consolidate friendship between the two countries and peoples, through the expansion and strengthening of cooperation in various fields of mutual interest”.

At the start of the ceremony, Zelensky presented Rama with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise for his exceptional personal contribution.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani in Tirana.

On Wednesday, Kuleba thanked Albania for hosting the summit for his country and reiterated the importance of holding Russia accountable for the war that started in Ukraine in 2022.

He thanked Albania for its humanitarian initiatives following the outbreak of the war, including the rehabilitation of children whose parents were killed in the conflict.

Albanian Chief Diplomat Igli Hasani announced that authorities are in the preparation phase to open the Albanian Embassy in Kyiv and hopes that the inauguration will take place “in the coming months”.

Several leaders of Southeast Europe will participate in the summit in Tirana.

According to the agenda, Rama and Zelensky are expected to deliver opening speeches and then hold a closed-door meeting.

The summit will conclude with their participation in a media conference.

The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a “special military operation” to demilitarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia by hitting its economy with tough sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands have died, and millions have been displaced from their homes.