Shqipëria Posted on 2026-06-25 17:49:00

Albania-Cyprus, Minister Hoxha: Strengthening economic ties in mutual interest

From SCAN TV

Albania-Cyprus, Minister Hoxha: Strengthening economic ties in mutual interest

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha paid an official visit to Nicosia, Cyprus. According to the minister, this visit carries a special significance, as it coincides with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Cyprus.

"This occasion also gives me the special pleasure - despite the fact that there are only a few days left - to celebrate together the success of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, during the first half of this year", declared Hoxha.

The Foreign Minister was initially received by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in a meeting that reaffirmed the joint commitment to expand bilateral cooperation in key sectors and advance the common European agenda.

Minister Hoxha congratulated Cyprus for the excellent work carried out during the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, thanking it for its unwavering support for the Union's enlargement process. "In a time of increased global uncertainty and growing security challenges, Cyprus has successfully advanced an ambitious agenda focused on building a more resilient, strategically autonomous and visionary European Union. In this regard, I expressed our gratitude for Cyprus' leadership, commitment to the enlargement process, and in particular for Albania's path to EU membership", declared Hoxha.

The visit continued with a reception by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costantinos Kombos, with whom they discussed Cyprus' unwavering support for Albania's European perspective, which was concretely highlighted during the successful completion of the Interim Standards Assessment Report (IBAR). "EU membership, through a fair, credible and merit-based negotiation process, is our main strategic objective and the strongest driver for democratic consolidation, institutional transformation, economic modernization and sustainable development," stressed Hoxha.

The two ministers agreed on more cooperation to strengthen economic and business ties, including trade, investment, tourism, education and other sectors of mutual interest that can bring tangible benefits to the economies of both countries.

During a joint press statement with his Cypriot counterpart, Hoxha stressed that "we look forward to the start of the direct Nicosia-Tirana air connection, which will contribute to bringing our two countries and peoples closer together, facilitating tourism, business interaction and people-to-people contacts."

From Nicosia, Minister Hoxha reiterated the position that the recognition of Kosovo's independence by those European countries that have not yet done so goes beyond the aspect of a bilateral issue. "It is increasingly linked to the security and stability of our common European space and represents an important step in preventing destabilizing external influences in the region," said the Foreign Minister.

Hoxha was also received by the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, in a meeting focusing on the role of parliaments in advancing European integration and ways to intensify interparliamentary cooperation, including exchanges between committees, sharing legislative best practices, and supporting democratic governance.

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