On Thursday, 15 January, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, welcomed to Kyiv his counterpart, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Elisa Spiropali.
Andrii Sybiha briefed his colleague on the situation on the battlefield, the consequences of Russian strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and the dynamics of ongoing peace efforts. The ministers agreed that Moscow must be compelled to peace through increased pressure.
The foreign ministers held detailed discussions on a broad range of issues of bilateral relations, cooperation on the international stage, and the shared path toward accession to the European Union.
Albania remains one of Ukraine’s key partners in the region and an active participant in the Ukraine-initiated “Ukraine–Southeast Europe” format.
The Head of Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry noted Albania’s steadfast support in countering Russian aggression and expressed gratitude to the country’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, in particular for Albania’s firm position during its membership in the UN Security Council in 2022–2023.
Andrii Sybiha recalled that last year Albania opened its embassy in Kyiv, which became the first new diplomatic mission to be inaugurated in Ukraine since the Russia’s full-scale invasion. This step is a clear sign of support, unity, and trust.
“Ukraine and Albania are united by shared European values and a common vision of the future within a united Europe. On the path toward EU accession, we are complementary partners,” the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine emphasized.
The ministers devoted particular attention to ensuring accountability for Russia, the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, and other justice mechanisms.
According to the Head of the MFA of Ukraine, Ukraine and Albania also have significant potential for cooperation in countering hybrid threats. Albania is one of the most successful front-line states in countering Russian information threats in the Western Balkans region.
The foreign ministers agreed to continue political dialogue and cooperation in the security, humanitarian, and economic spheres, as well as to further develop the “Ukraine–Southeast Europe” format.
Andrii Sybiha expressed gratitude for Albania’s support to Ukrainians who have found refuge from Russian aggression in the Balkans, as well as for assistance in the rehabilitation of Ukrainian children.
The Minister added that the development of bilateral relations is also facilitated by the Albanian diaspora in Ukraine, which is most compactly settled in Odesa region.
“We will continue working to ensure that ties between Ukraine and Albania, and between our peoples, become even stronger and more substantive,” Andrii Sybiha stated.
Andriy Sybiha also expressed special appreciation for Albania’s participation in the Coalition of the Willing, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, the Air Force Coalition, and other formats aimed at restoring a just peace for Ukraine.
“We value the humanitarian assistance, the introduction of sanctions against Russia, and the visa regime for citizens of the aggressor state,” the Minister noted.
An important part of the visit was the presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the period of Soviet Ukraine and the first years of independence, which were presented to the Albanian delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine kindly provided by the State Archival Service of Ukraine.
Presenting the exhibition to Albanian colleagues, Andrii Sybiha emphasized that these documents testify to the long-standing diplomatic and people-to-people ties between Ukraine and Albania. The MFA of Ukraine express its gratitude to the Head of the State Archival Service, Anatolii Khromov, and to the Director of the Central State Archive of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government, Larysa Levchenko, for identifying and preparing the materials for the presentation.