The Republic of Albania has continued to provide political, military, technical, defence and humanitarian support to Ukraine for the second year in a row, both individually and in the framework of international cooperation through NATO, the United Nations and other formats. The country also pledged to participate together with international organisations, allies and partners for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war. Albania is a small country and its continued support for Ukraine is unlikely to change the dynamics on the battlefield, but it helps to ensure that aggression is not encouraged, that annexation is not recognised, and that the obvious is not questioned.

After Russia’s invasion to Ukraine, Albania joined other European countries in imposing economic sanctions and banning Russian aircraft to enter its airspace.

The Balkan country became the 25th country that signed a declaration of support for Ukraine’s future NATO membership. The declaration was signed in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As stated in the text, the country supports Ukraine’s NATO membership and will support Ukraine on this way. Tirana confirms its readiness to provide Ukraine with various types of assistance within the framework of bilateral and international cooperation as long as necessary.

The Republic of Albania has opened its dairy market to Ukraine. The Ministry of Agriculture and Development of Albania has approved the form of the international veterinary certificate prepared by the State Food and Consumer Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for the export of heat-treated dairy products. Currently, three types of products can be exported to Albania: poultry, semi-finished meat products and heat-treated dairy products for human consumption.

Albania has handed over a batch of US-made M1224 MaxxPro armoured personnel carriers to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine has received a total of 22 MaxxPro units. This type of armoured vehicle is equipped with a mine protection system. In addition, it supplied 82-mm mortar shells. Previously, the country had not provided significant military assistance to Ukraine. In 2022, it provided the AFU with ammunition for small arms, as well as 60-mm and 82-mm mines. Later, in March 2023, it transferred two ambulances.

In February 2023, with the support of the First Lady of Albania, Armanda Begaj, a cultural event took place in Korçë, with the opening of the Ukrainian Bookshelf at the Timi Mitko Central Public Library. The first selection of Ukrainian books is about the history, culture, and art of Ukraine, as well as works of art by Ukrainian authors and literature for children. The “Ukrainian Bookshelf” in Korçë is the third in Albania – similar ones have previously been opened in the National Library of Albania (Tirana) and the public library in Durres.

In addition, a Ukrainian-language audio guide was launched at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça, known for one of the world’s largest collections of Byzantine icons, ceramics, wood, precious metals and gems. It became the first Albanian museum to offer an audio tour in Ukrainian.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for the two countries. Despite the small volume of foreign trade with the Republic of Albania, this country is a promising commercial partner of the region.

Imports of goods from Albania to Dnipro region increased by 2.8 times compared to 2021 and amounted to $561.7 thousand. Eight importing companies in the region mostly bought Albanian goods, namely: edible fruits and nuts, various chemical products, vegetables, electrical machinery, etc.

TOP 5 importers by volume of imported products are the following companies:

Import operations were mainly carried out by metallurgical, trade, food and processing companies.

Albanian companies mostly buy soap and detergents, glass and glass products, plastics and polymeric materials, etc. The volume of goods exports from Dnipropetrovsk region amounted to $98.5 thousand and decreased by 72% compared to 2021.

3 companies of Dnipropetrovsk region exported their products to the Albanian market, including processing and retail enterprises.

Source: information for this article was taken from open online sources