Topi urges closer ties with Turkey

TIRANA, Oct. 12 – Turkey and Albania pledged to join their efforts to contribute to peace in the Balkans.The declaration was made during the visit President Bamir Topi held in Turkey this week.Topi arrived in Ankara for a three-day visit earlier on Monday.
Topi told reporters in Ankara following the meeting with his Turkish host counterpart Abudullah Gul that Turkey and his country will work together to strengthen peace in the Balkans and stressed that Turkey was Albania’s strategic partner. Topi discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. The two presidents also signed a protocol supporting Albania’s NATO membership and that his country is now one of 28 members of the alliance.Both Albania and Turkey are working together in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission in the war-torn country. Topi said that Turkey and Albania have to develop further their relations in spheres of economy, education, health and tourism, mentioning numerous Turkish schools and hospitals in Albania which, he said provide quality service, and also noting that his government promotes their increase. Speaking at the Turkish-Albanian Business Council meeting organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), Topi said that Turkish entrepreneurs could make investments in Albanian tourism similar to those made in the southern province of Antalya.
“We also want to develop the energy sector in Albania. Albania is a small country with varying climate in different parts,” President Topi said.
Turkey and Albania have strong economic, historic, political and cultural relations. Politicians have an obligation to support business circles, Topi said.
He also urged them to invest in the mining sector in Albania, adding that Turkey has a strong economic potential and the Balkans have a good business climate for investments.
Topi also praised and thanked Turkey for strongly lobbying for increasing the number of countries that recognize Kosovo.