TIRANA, Dec 22 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama made a visit to Israel this week in an efforts to establish a closer cooperation between the two countries and to attract Israeli investment and know-how to the small Adriatic-Ionian republic.
Rama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday in Jerusalem and also signed a joint declaration of friendship, which marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Albania.
“The people of Albania are not merely good friends today of the people of Israel, but in the crucial period of the Holocaust they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish people persecuted in Europe,” Netanyahu said at a joint press conference with Rama.
During the German occupation of Europe in World War II, nearly all of the Jews living within Albanian borders were rescued and survived the Holocaust.
“I think Albania is the only country whose Jewish population during the Holocaust actually grew because of the refuge and the sanctuary and the friendship and courage showed by the people of Albania. We never forget our friends, and we appreciate that display of humanity, civility and courage in our darkest hours,” said the Israeli host.
The two prime ministers discussed future collaboration between the two countries and also signed a medical research cooperation agreement between hospitals.
The two delegations discussed further expanding the relationship between the countries. Rama expressed interest in building a bilateral cooperation with Israel in the fields of security, cyber technology, water, and energy, noting that Albania would be happy to learn from Israeli innovations.
Netanyahu spoke about increasing trade and cooperation with Albania in several different fields. He told the Albanian leader, “We know that Albania is a good friend of Israel,” drawing special attention to Albania’s historically good treatment of the Jews.
Rama also visited Jerusalem’s Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, and participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. He also met with members of the Mandil family, who were rescued during the Holocaust by a pair of Albanian Muslim brothers.
An agreement between the Albanian Ministry of Education and Sport and Yad Vashem, which will promote Holocaust education in Albania, was also signed.
