From May 15 to 17, 2025, the Director of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH), Vlora Hyseni, paid an official visit to Washington, D.C., where she held meetings with senior leaders and officials from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the State Department, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The discussions focused on deepening bilateral cooperation and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In a press release, SHISH announced that during a key meeting with the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, the parties discussed challenges and opportunities for cooperation in intelligence and security, with a particular emphasis on the national security of both Albania and the United States.

“The parties exchanged views on major developments in regional and international security, highlighting their shared commitment to ensuring stability and collective security. SHISH was reaffirmed as a reliable partner, while Albania was recognized as a key stabilizing force in the Balkan region,” the statement read.

In her meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the close cooperation between the two agencies was emphasized, particularly in identifying and preventing shared threats. Further discussions addressed enhancing bilateral collaboration and strengthening SHISH’s intelligence capabilities.

“This visit reflects both countries’ commitment and readiness to support strategic decision-making with high-quality and timely intelligence, contributing to regional and global security,” SHISH concluded.