|
Latvia and Albania enjoy pragmatic relations. There is, however, still much room for their intensification. Latvia would like to develop the political, commercial, and trade co-operation between the two states.
The priorities in Albania's foreign policy agenda are integration into the European Union and NATO, as well as development of friendly relations with its neighbours.
Latvia supports the prospective accession of Albania to the EU and NATO, as well as the efforts by the Albanian government to promote internal reforms and democratic processes that would accelerate Albania's economic growth, raise the level of welfare and foster stability throughout the region.
Latvia has repeatedly expressed its readiness to share experience with Albania in any spheres required.
History of diplomatic relations
Albania and Latvia recognized each other's statehood on 16 February 1928; Albania recognised Latvia's independence anew on 28 August 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two states were renewed on 29 April 1992.
Before WWII, Latvia was represented in Albania by the Ambassadors Peteris Seja (1928 – 1933) and Arnolds Spekke (1933 – 1939) residing in Rome.
The first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Albania of the renewed Republic of Latvia was Janis Lusis (residing in Rome) (from 14 February 2005 to 31 July 2006).
Albania appointed its first Ambassador to Latvia, Idriza Konjari, in 1996. Since 28 October 2003, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Latvia has been Sokol Gjoka residing in Warsaw.
Commercial and Economic Co-operation
As yet, Latvian-Albanian economic co-operation has proceeded on a case-by-case basis.
In 2006, Latvian export (including food industry products, minerals, machinery and mechanical appliances) to Albania was worth 28,263 EUR; there has been no import from Albania.
As of 29 March 2007, one company was registered in Latvia as holding equity investment by Albanian residents (data from Lursoft data base).
Trade dynamics between Latvia and Albania 2001 – 2006, EUR
|
Year |
Export |
Import |
|
2001 |
19,040 |
0 |
|
2002 |
10,231 |
1,108 |
|
2003 |
726 |
12,075 |
|
2004 |
5,673 |
3,104 |
|
2005 |
87,200 |
0 |
|
2006 |
28,263 |
0 |
Most significant visits and meetings
|
24 – 26 April 2006 |
Participation by Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Artis Pabriks in meeting between Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Defence of the Baltic states, the Adriatic Group (Albania, Croatia, Macedonia) and the U.S in Croatia |
|
27 – 28 March 2006 |
Official visit to Latvia by Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Besnik Mustafaj |
|
12 – 13 May 2005 |
Official visit to Latvia by Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kastriot Islami |
|
27 - 29 January 2005
|
Working visit to Latvia by Albanian Minister of Defence Pandeli Majko |
|
5 - 6 July 2002 |
Participation by Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko and Minister of Foreign Affairs Arta Dade in Summit of NATO Aspirant Countries Bridge to Prague in Riga |
|
31 January 2002 |
Visit to Latvia by Albanian Foreign Ministry delegation |
|
26 January1995 |
Meeting between Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis and Albanian President Sali Berisha in Krakow during commemorative events of 50th anniversary of Oswiencim prisoners' liberation |
Agreements
On 26 October 2006, the Latvian Saeima ratified a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Community and Albania.
On 28 March 2006, an agreement between the Latvian government and the Albanian Council of Ministers on international carriage of goods and road transport was signed. This was the first inter-governmental agreement between the two states. The agreement came into force on 19 October 2006.
Since 29 May 2003, Latvian citizens can enter the Albanian territory visa-free and stay in the state for 30 consecutive days.
Link
Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.mfa.gov.al
|
