Albania–Portugal relations explained

Albania–Portugal relations
Party1:	Albania
Party2:	Portugal
Map:	Albania Portugal Locator.png

Albania has an embassy in Lisbon and 3 honorary consulates in Porto, Funchal and in the island of Madeira. Portugal has an honorary consulate in Tirana.^[1] ^[2] The history of diplomatic relations of Albania and Portugal dates back to 1922, when Portugal recognized Albania's independence on May 25, 1922.

The countries are both members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As a European Union (EU) member, Portugal supports Albania in its euro-integration path.^[3]

Economic relations

In 2010, the bilateral Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cusmara de Comércio e Industria Luso Albanesa has been founded. In 2016, Portugal has exported carriage in worth of 6.10 million euros (compared in 2012 only 2.16 million euros) to Albania. 31.8% of the products were chemical-pharmaceutical products mostly from the BIAL company, 19.2% agricultural products, 14.7% metal products, 13.3% paper and cellulose and 5.4% machinery and equipment.^[4]

Cultural relations

The Luso-Albanian Foundation, Luso-Illyrian Institute for Human Development founded in 2007, is considered one of the major cultural bilateral relationships between Albania and Portugal. The foundation initiates and supports a variety of projects in education, culture, sciences, research and development cooperation, particularly in administration and organization management. In 2012, an office was opened in Tirana. There are also offices in Prague and Brussels.^[5]

Resident diplomatic missions

Albania is accredited to Portugal from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
Portugal is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Paris, France.

Official and State Visits

From February 2nd to the 4th, 2000, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Paskal Milo, visited Portugal.
On June 12th, 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Lulzim Basha, visited Portugal.
On November 14th, 2007, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, Luís Amado, visited Tirana.
On February 6th, 2009, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Lulzim Basha, visited Portugal, to ratify the Protocol of accession to NATO.
On May 11th and 12th, 2010, the Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affaris, Ilir Meta, visited Lisbon.
On November 19th and 20th, 2010, the Prime-Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, was the head of the Albanian delegation to the Lisbon NATO Summit.
On March 10th, 2015, the Secretary of State for European Affairs of Portugal, Bruno Maçães, visited Albania, where he met with the Minister of European Integration of Albania, Klajda Gjosha.
On May 9th, 2016, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Ditmir Bushati, carried out an official visit to Portugal.
On July 25th, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, João Gomes Cravinho, visited Tirana.

Bilateral Agreements

On September 11th, 1998, the Agreement between the Portuguese Republic and the Republic of Albania on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments, and respective Protocol, was signed in Lisbon.
On September 29th, 2014, the Protocol between the Portuguese Republic and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, regarding the Application of the Agreement of Readmission between the European Community and the Republic of Albania, was signed in Lisbon.

External links

Albanian Embassy in Lisbon

Notes and References

Web site: Ambasada e Republikës së Shqipërisë në Portugali. ambasadat.gov.al.
Web site: REPRESENTAÇÕES DIPLOMÁTICAS PORTUGUESAS. portugal.gov.pt. Portuguese.
Web site: Portugal supports Albania’s EU integration. ata.gov.al. English. 10 March 2015.
Web site: Relações Económicas Bilaterais com a Albânia no período. portugalglobal.pt. Portuguese. 2017-05-23. 2020-10-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20201019131543/http://www.portugalglobal.pt/PT/Biblioteca/Paginas/Detalhe.aspx?documentId=4eb72c3d-7dbd-4658-a9ab-9125297d4ba9. dead.
Web site: iLIDH Institute. ambasadat.gov.al. English.