BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA AND HUNGARY

Hungary’s official name changed from “Republic of Hungary” to just “Hungary” when the new Constitution came into force on 1 January 2012.

Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe with about 10 million inhabitants. Hungary has an area of 93,030 square kilometers and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, and Austria to the west. The official language is Hungarian. Hungary’s capital and largest city is Budapest.

Hungary is a parliamentary republic. The unicameral Parliament (National Assembly) is composed by 199 members and is elected once in four years. The National Assembly has also the duty to elect the President and the Prime Minister. The President, elected every five years, serves as the head of state and is invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. The Prime Minister is serving as the head of government and exercising executive powers.

OVERVIEW

Political dialogue is considered one of the main pillars of bilateral relations. Hungary has used all opportunities to express the support for Albania’s European integration and has provided concrete support with expertise in the framework of the twinning programs and the Western Balkans Fund. Hungary has shown without any hesitation the willingness for the opening of the accession negotiations between the EU and Albania.​

The most recent high level visits are the visit in Budapest of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, on 7-8 June 2021, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Viktor Orbán, accompanied by the Minister of Health and Social Protection, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, the Minister of State for Reconstruction, the Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and the Mayor of Tirana; the visit in Budapest, of the President of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Ilir Meta, on 3-6 July 2021, for the participation to the ceremony of inauguration of the bust of Skanderbeg; as well as the visit in Tirana of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr. Péter Szijjártó, on 12 February 2021.

On 31 January 2022, the Secretary of State for Security Policy at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Péter Sztáray, paid a visit to Tirana, where he participated in the Conference organized by the Hungarian Embassy in Tirana, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, as well as the to the inauguration of the Statue of Queen Geraldine.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

The relations between our two countries have developed since the 15^th century. They deepened with the creation of the modern Albanian state and still continue to progress in a multitude of fields. Albanians and Hungarians share an ancient tradition of friendly and cordial relations, dating back to the time of the strategic partnership and alliance between our National Hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, and the Hungarian National Hero Janos Hunyadi. Our common historical ties continued even after the declaration of independence, when King Zog chose as his future wife the noble Hungarian Countess Geraldine Appony.

The diplomatic relations between Albania and Hungary were established on 23 May 1922.

The political relations between Albania and Hungary are consolidated and stable. Both countries have shown will in order to further intensify their political dialogue through visits at all levels, including high level visits, as a relevant contribution for strengthening the relations between the two countries and further intensification of the cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Hungary is one of the first European Union member states that ratified the SAA (Stabilization Association Agreement) between EU and Albania. The Hungarian Parliament ratified unanimously the agreement on 23 April 2007. The long and good tradition of friendship and cooperation between our two countries are well consolidated. Beyond the historical aspect, the stability of Albania is viewed as very important for Hungary. The European integration of the whole region of Western Balkans is of a paramount interest for Hungary, being in close and geo-strategical vicinity to the region.