President Bajram Begaj paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, where the Presidency said the stated focus was on deepening the political and economic partnership, with added emphasis on attracting investment to Albania. The official statement indicates that Abu Dhabi remains an address where Tirana is seeking capital for several sectors it considers strategic.
The first visit by an Albanian president to the UAE
According to the Presidency, this was the first visit by a President of the Republic of Albania to the United Arab Emirates. The institution presented the meeting as a reconfirmation of the commitment of the two countries to further strengthen their bilateral partnership.
Begaj was received by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while the agenda focused on political and economic relations and cooperation at the international level.
Investment at the center of the talks
The main point of the official statement was the economy. According to the Presidency’s version, economic cooperation and investment were one of the main pillars of the discussions between the sides.
Begaj expressed interest in expanding bilateral investment and in greater engagement by Emirati investors in Albania, particularly in infrastructure, energy, innovation, tourism and other strategic fields. The statement, however, provides no figures, concrete projects or timelines regarding this new push for investment.
Thanks for support in times of crisis
During the meeting, the Albanian president thanked the United Arab Emirates for the support given to Albania and Albanians in several difficult episodes, including the war in Kosovo, the 2019 earthquake and the 2022 cyberattack.
This political and diplomatic dimension was used by the Presidency as part of the narrative of growing closeness between the two countries, alongside the objective of turning this relationship into broader economic cooperation as well.
Embassy in Tirana and other meetings in Abu Dhabi
The statement says ties between the two countries are expected to be strengthened further with the opening of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Tirana. The Presidency presents this as a step that could facilitate political, economic and institutional contacts.
During his stay in the United Arab Emirates, Begaj also held meetings with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as well as with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
Beyond the optimistic language of the statement, it remains to be seen whether the visit will produce measurable agreements or concrete investment on the ground. So far, the main signal from the Presidency is a call for more Emirati capital in Albania and broader cooperation in sectors the government considers priorities.