The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Mélanie Joly, who is currently in Tirana as part of her European tour.

Minister Xhaçka appreciated Minister Joly’s contribution to the intensification of Albania-Canada relations and Canada’s increased attention to the Western Balkans region.

“I expressed our gratitude to my colleague for the approval of the Social Security Agreement between Albania and Canada, which is a really important development for the citizens of the two countries, and a constant request of our compatriots who today constitute a significant community in Canada and a bridge of friendship between our nations. Albania welcomes greater and more intensive involvement of Canadian businesses in its economy. In particular, I emphasized the importance of reactivating the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives to support various programs, including those related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ community, gender equality, as well as innovation, agriculture, and education,” stated Minister Xhaçka.

In her speech, Minister Joly praised Albania’s work in the Security Council and reiterated Canada’s support in our country’s European path.

“I would like to take the opportunity to talk about your accession to the European Union. In fact, Canada is not a member of the EU, but fortunately we are friends with both Albania and the EU. I believe and Canada believes that the future of Albania is in the EU. Albania is on the right path and I know that no country can achieve everything alone that they can achieve together,” she said.

The Canadian Foreign Minister’s visit to Albania comes as part of her tour in Europe, which includes Slovenia, North Macedonia and our country. This is the second visit of a Canadian Foreign Minister to Tirana, in the span of 9 years.