Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves as Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, welcomes him before their meeting in Tirana, Albania, Thursday. [AP]
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a significant visit to Tirana, Albania, aimed at strengthening Turkey’s influence in the region amidst uncertainties.
During the Turkey-Albania High-Level Cooperation Council, Erdogan announced major initiatives such as unveiling the largest mosque in the Balkans, funded by Turkey, and gifting drones to Albania’s armed forces. The visit was marked by discussions with Prime Minister Edi Rama to enhance collaboration in tourism, economy, trade, and defense.
Rama appreciated the drone donation, emphasizing Albania’s resilience and framing it as a symbol of the country’s defense capabilities. Erdogan stressed the strategic importance of Turkey-Albania relations to boost trade and combat terrorism, while also inaugurating the Namazgah Mosque.
Furthermore, Ankara awaits confirmation on procuring military systems from Berlin, including discussions on acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The visit underscores Turkey’s commitment to enhancing Albania’s military strength and fostering peaceful relations in the region.