Albania considers as very important all dhe developments and achivements of the Republic of Croatia. Albania appreciates the Croatian efforts and results in the way towards NATO and EU membership, which are very positive for Croatia, but also represent a strong positive impact to the other countries of the region.

Also I feel honoured to congratulate Croatia for the NATO invitation received in Bucharest NATO Summit. Also I feel proud that this invitation was addressed  to Albania too. This reality represents the recognition of all the efforts, commitments and performance of our two countries. NATO invitation offers more security in our countries and in the region, offers increased opportunities for progress, offers a more secure environment for economic development and foreign investments, offers more credibility to our governments and our states internally and internationally. Both countries have become exporters of security and stability in the region and beyond.  But on the other hand, it is obvoius that NATO invitation is not the conclussion and the end. It is the beginning and the continuation.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been established since August 1992. The relations and links among the Albanians and the Croatians are very old. On the other hand, from the past they share differences but also similarities, especially during the communist regime. The new similarity is the same goals toward the Euro-Atlantic and European Integrations. The bilateral cooperation is very good. This is materialized in the numerous contacts at high political level and the fruitful cooperation in political field and other fields.The economic cooperation between the two states must be developed further. There are already a number of Croatian businessmen doing business in Albania, and respectively, many Albanians working with Croatians. They are dealing with trade, but there are also certain investment opportunities.

Most of the cooperation is in the trade field, which again, is not consolidated. It is important and indispensable to move to the economic field, not just trading, but producing. Apart from the trade relations it is important to grow the economic ones. The indicators of economy show that the economic cooperation must be improved. And this is possible. Both countries move towards the EU and such cooperation goes to that line and to the regional economic integration.

Croatia must be more “aggressive“ towards the Albanian market. The improved business environment in Albania represents a good opportunity for the Croatian investment (we share the same region, short distance, the labour force in Albania is cheap, the Albanian labour force is educated, young people in Albania speak foreign languages, investment climate is improved, etc.).

Some possible projects for the short and mid term future can be: the establishment of the Air link Zagreb-Tirana; the establishment of the ferry link Split or Rijeka-Durres; cooperation and investment in road construction, energy, tourism, mining, education field etc. Albania and Croatia have no unresolved issues. The only unresolved issue is the improvement of our economic cooperation.

There are other fields of coperation. Full NATO membership and the EU integration will continue to be active areas of working together. Croatia can offer expertise to Albania in its way towards EU. On the other hand, all the regional initiatives represent a very good environment of contributing together.

The same future goals of our two countries make our cooperation very indispensable for the two countries' benefit, for the benefit of the region, for the European future and the Euro-Atlantic future of the whole South East Europe. Now it is the time moving from the excellent political relations between the two our countries to a better bilateral cooperation, including many fields, aiming quantity but most importantly quality.