TIRANA, April 7 – Hungarian president Janos Ader says the Hungarian government is working to reestablish a direct flight with Tirana in a bid to increase economic cooperation between the two countries. The statement came this week during an official visit to Tirana.
Tirana and Budapest had regular direct flights until early 2012 when Hungarian airline Malev ceased flying operations after going bankrupt.
Under a two-year education deal, Hungary will provide 20 scholarships to Albanian students to study in Hungary. Albanian President Bujar Nishani praised Hungary’s support to Albania’s Euro- Atlantic integration and its interest to open a chamber of commerce in Tirana.
“Thanks to our potential, the cooperation can also extend to the fields of energy, tourism, infrastructure and agriculture,” said Nishani.
In another event, the Hungarian President unveiled a plaque of Hungarian 15th century hero Janos Hunyadi in a central Tirana square with Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. Hunyadi allied with Albanian national hero Skanderbeg in their resistance against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Albania’s trade exchanges with Hungary are estimated at an annual €50 million.
Albania’s exports to Hungary rose to €13 million in 2015 while imports from Hungary were at €34 million, according to state statistical institute, INSTAT.
