Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, speaking during a joint press statement with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, said that Albania remains unwaveringly committed to peace and international dialogue. The minister also condemned Iran’s attacks, adding that they undermine peace and security in the region.
Hoxha expressed gratitude for Israel’s support in strengthening Albania’s cybersecurity capabilities following the Iranian attacks in 2022. He also reaffirmed Albania’s decision to sever diplomatic relations with Tehran and designate Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The historic bond between the two peoples was also highlighted, particularly through the Albanian code of Besa during the Holocaust, when Albanians protected Jewish families.
Full Statement by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs:
It is a particular pleasure to welcome you to Tirana, Minister Sa’ar. Welcome to Albania!
According to our records, you are the third Israeli Foreign Minister to visit Albania. We can rightly say: third time’s the charm! And we have good reason to say this because, as we have just agreed, this moment marks the highest point in our relations. It not only confirms the longstanding friendship between our two countries but also demonstrates a growing partnership that continues to deepen and strengthen.
Today, we reaffirmed our unwavering commitment, as well as our shared political will and ever-growing desire to further strengthen our partnership.
We have just signed the General Cooperation Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the State of Israel. This agreement marks another important step in strengthening relations between our countries.
It establishes a structured mechanism through which our countries will expand cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, including the economy and trade, innovation and technology, agriculture, water management, energy, healthcare, education, security, tourism and culture. It opens up new opportunities for our institutions to work together and deliver lasting benefits to our citizens.
Security remains a key pillar of our partnership. Albania and Israel attach particular importance to combating terrorism and violent extremism, fighting antisemitism, addressing hybrid threats and confronting emerging risks to national security.
In this regard, our cooperation in cybersecurity has gained particular importance in recent years. We are deeply grateful to Israel for the valuable support it has provided to Albania in strengthening our cyber defence capabilities following the brutal cyberattacks carried out by Iran and Iran-linked groups against our critical digital infrastructure in 2022.
Since then, we have continued to invest in the resilience of our digital infrastructure and will further strengthen cooperation with Israel in this vital field.
Our partnership is also expanding in the economic sphere. We see considerable potential to diversify and strengthen economic cooperation, and we are encouraged by the growing interest of Israeli businesses and investors in Albania, particularly in infrastructure, agribusiness, technology, innovation and energy, as well as healthcare.
People-to-people ties are always at the heart of any lasting partnership. In recent years, the growth of tourism has become an important bridge between our countries, creating new opportunities for greater engagement and increased exchanges.
Albania remains firmly committed to peace, dialogue and international cooperation. We have supported and will continue to support all efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, as well as ensuring security.
In this context, we strongly condemn the ongoing destabilising activities of Iran and Iran-linked groups, as well as its recent attacks across the Middle East, which threaten regional peace, security and stability.
In light of Iran’s policies and actions against Albania, as well as against our partners, we have severed diplomatic relations with Iran.
Furthermore, alongside other countries and partners, Albania has designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.
We also exchanged valuable views on developments in the Western Balkans. I emphasised the fundamental importance Albania attaches to stability and cooperation in the region.
In this regard, I underlined that Israel’s recognition of Kosovo and the close relations established between them are part of our shared efforts to strengthen stability and cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Minister, dear Gideon,
Few peoples in history have endured as much suffering, persecution and tragedy as the Jewish people.
Throughout the centuries, culminating in the horrors of the Holocaust, they experienced one of the darkest chapters in human history.
The establishment of the State of Israel emerged from this painful history and from a people’s aspiration to live in security and dignity in their historic homeland.
However, Israel’s history has also been marked by wars, conflicts, insecurity and repeated losses, which have brought pain and suffering to countless innocent lives across the region.
The brutal terrorist attacks of October 7, the massacre of innocent people on a horrific scale in their homes, on the streets and in their cars, and the devastating events that followed serve as a powerful reminder of both the fragility of peace and the fundamental importance of security.
No nation can be expected to accept the threat of terrorism against its citizens, just as there can be no lasting peace amid insecurity, violence and constant fear.
The extraordinary suffering that has continued since then has claimed many innocent lives and left deep wounds among both Israelis and Palestinians.
It has reinforced the urgent need to ensure, first and foremost, Israel’s security, while also making every possible effort towards a just and lasting peace.
From this perspective, Albania, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rama, became a founding member of the Board of Peace and decided to contribute to the International Stabilisation Force, demonstrating our commitment to supporting stability, security and humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
The challenge facing the international community, therefore, is to help create the conditions in which both Israelis and Palestinians can live in security, dignity and hope, free from the cycles of violence that have caused so much suffering generation after generation.
For Albania, the history of the Jewish people holds special significance.
During one of humanity’s darkest hours, Albanians opened the doors of their homes and their hearts, welcomed and protected Jewish families, and ensured that those seeking refuge found protection, security and dignity.
I felt proud to have the opportunity to show you some documents from that period, many of which remained largely unknown to the public until just a few decades ago.
This remains one of the proudest chapters of our national history and a powerful testament to our values of humanity, solidarity and respect for life.
We have encapsulated this principle in a single word: BESA — the word of honour, a promise that is kept.
These bonds, forged in times of hardship and guided by moral courage, continue today to provide a strong foundation for the growing friendship and understanding between Albania and Israel.
In this context, I informed the Minister that, to keep this memory alive, Albania is advancing two important projects: the Besa Museum in Tirana and the Jewish Museum in the city of Vlora.
These institutions will serve as centres of education and culture, celebrating the historic ties between our peoples and recognising the longstanding presence and contribution of the Jewish community to Albanian society.
My dear friend,
I am confident that our discussions today will further consolidate cooperation between Albania and Israel and open new avenues for collaboration, for the benefit of both our nations and peoples.
I look forward to continuing our close cooperation.
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