The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, during his speech at today’s plenary session in the Parliament of Albania spoke about the draft law “for the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Albania and Ukraine”,

Hasani said that this bill is an initiative of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

He explained in detail the benefits of this treaty of friendship between the two countries and added that Albania unreservedly condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Igli Hasani’s speech:

The draft law “On the ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Albania and Ukraine”, is an initiative of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, brought before you as a legal initiative by the Council of Ministers in implementation of articles 81, point 1 and 121, of the Constitution.

We estimate that the relations between the two countries have begun to develop qualitatively and intensify, especially after the Russian aggression of 2014 with the consequent annexation of Crimea.

And they culminated with the visit of Prime Minister Rama to Kiev, with the visit of President Zelenskyy to our country and the co-organization with Prime Minister Mr. Edi Rama of the Ukraine – Southeast Europe summit in Tirana at the end of February this year.

Both countries are candidates to join the European Union. Albania supports Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO, when the conditions allow.

The signing of the treaty during this visit best confirmed this level of relations, as well as Albania’s steadfast support to Ukraine.

The brutal Russian attack against friendly Ukraine has shaken the world order and the security of the continent like never before, after the second war.

Albania has aligned itself with its Euro-Atlantic partners in defense of Ukraine’s integrity and respect for basic international norms and democratic and human values.

Albania has unreservedly supported the Peace Formula, President Zelenskyy’s 10-point plan, as the only way out of the conflict.

Specifically, it has pledged to be part of point 5 of this plan, which is dedicated to territorial integrity in internationally recognized borders.

The Peace Formula will be the central topic of the summit called by Switzerland and Ukraine, which will be held in Switzerland in mid-June.

At the summit, Albania will be represented at its highest state level.

This friendship treaty expresses the highest political will and serves as a basis and guarantee for the intensification of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, in all sectors of mutual interest.

Both sides are of the same mind that the potential of exchanges is considerable and that it is necessary to consolidate and find ways to exploit it.

The treaty lays the political foundations for a long-term, constructive partnership based on common human values ​​and friendship.

Through it, the parties confirm mutual respect and the desire to implement democratic principles and norms that build sovereign countries, which are inspired by common ideals of freedom, democracy, solidarity and dignity.

The Treaty creates the necessary framework for the establishment of common mechanisms for mutual dialogue, starting both at the highest political levels and at lower levels.

The parties pledge that they will create favorable conditions for economic cooperation of mutual interest and that they will rely on each other in the multilateral world economic system, they will promote investments and cooperate in essential areas such as energy, agriculture, telecommunications, mining, transport, construction, food processing, pharmaceutical industry, environment, or professional services.

The parties also undertake to give priority to mutual cultural exchanges, preservation and promotion of heritage in art and culture.

Priority in the treaty is also given to cooperation in maintaining the strengthening of the rule of law, as well as the military.

The importance is given to promoting all-round contacts, not only at the central institutional level, but also at the local and individual level.

The treaty expresses the readiness for cooperation within international organizations, such as the UN, OSCE and other institutional mechanisms, where the two countries are members, for the resolution of open issues and the handling of disputes with peaceful methods, in full respect of the international law.

Institutions responsible for the implementation of this Agreement are the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Defense; Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation; Ministry of Health and Social Protection; Ministry of Tourism and Environment; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Education and Sports.

Thanking you for your time, I would like to ask for your vote for the approval of this draft law, in order to pave the way for the finalization of its entry into force, through the exchange of instruments of ratification of this Friendship Treaty with friendly Ukraine.