By Rudina HOXHA
A cup of Turkish tea goes tasty in every season! I realize that as I am talking with the Turkish Ambassador to Tirana, H.E. Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar in his nice office. His Excellency has been serving in Albania since the end of 2013.
In an exclusive interview for Tirana Times, he speaks about the bilateral relations in the fields of economy, tourism and culture. “The Turkish investors in Albania are highly active and are employing around 10,000 Albanians in the country. The trade volume between the two countries is over 400 million Euro, while the Turkish FDI in Albania has reached 1,5 bn Euros as well as 1 billion Euros takeover contracts,” Bayraktar said.
Still he is not satisfied with the economic level between the two countries. “Frankly speaking, when comparing the excellent level of our political relations, I am not satisfied with these figures,” he adds.
Asked specifically about health tourism, Mr. Bayraktar underlined that “there are some health agencies operating in Albania such as Medivia Ä°stanbul, Gà¼ven Hospital, Acıbadem. The Albanian patients are treated in Turkey through these agencies.”
Regarding culture, he stresses that the cultural similarities between Turkey and Albania have directly shaped the consumption habits of the people. “So, the Turkish products are in great demand in general,” he said.
Full interview below:
How would you like to analyze the economic and cultural relations between Albania and Turkey? How have the bilateral relations between the two countries evolved over the years to reach a stronger position as today?
Well…In fact, the relations between Turkish and Albanian people go back centuries.
There are many common figures between the two societies, such as, i) Šžemseddin Sami Frashà«ri, author of the first Turkish dictionary, encyclopedia and novel; ii) Hoca Hasan Tahsini, founding rector of the Ä°stanbul University; iii) Mehmet Akif Ersoy, an Albanian from Kosovo, author of the Turkish National Anthem or iv) Sedefkar Mehmedi, the architect of the Blue Mosque located in old Ä°stanbul.
Many Albanians are not aware of this but I would like to stress that out 217 Sadrazam’s (then, Prime Minister) of the Ottoman State, 38 were of Albanian origin, which constituted the largest number of Sadrazam’s after the Turks. I believe, there is no need to talk about the numbers of Vezirs (then, Ministers).
Therefore, there is no doubt that the common history and culture between the two peoples and countries provide the necessary ground for the development of relations.
However, the relations between the two countries during the rule of communist regime in Albania paused for a while. After the collapse of communist rule in Albania, the de facto frozen relations thawed again with the high level visits including at presidential level. Institutionally, military relations pioneered the relations at that time and are still very vivid.
However, I would like to emphasize that following the general elections in 2013, the declaration of Mr. Edi Rama towards including Turkey, among the strategic partners of Albania, has opened a new phase in the course of our relations. For this reason, the current excellent relations and cooperation between the two states have been further diversified, developed and deepened in all areas, in general and in economic sphere, in particular.
What are the areas and sectors of business in which both the countries have traditionally been stronger and have witnessed healthy import/export numbers? Where do you see shortcomings?
The Turkish investors in Albania are highly active, especially in the sectors of banking, telecommunication, mining, energy, logistics, infrastructure and textile and so on and are employing around 10,000 Albanians in the country. The trade volume between the two countries is over 400 million Euro, while the Turkish FDI in Albania has reached 1,5 billion Euros as well as 1 billion Euros takeover contracts.
Frankly speaking, when comparing the excellent level of our political relations, I am not satisfied with these figures. We are always encouraging the Turkish businessmen to invest further in Albania. In fact, there is an increasing tendency by the Turkish investors to invest here and I hope that the presence of direct flights, geographical proximity, educated human resources and competitive wages as well as the political will of the Albanian Government to this end, will further contribute to the economic relations.
I also would like to underline that together with my Embassy, the Albanian-Turkish Chamber of Trade and Industry which was inaugurated on 18 December 2014 in Tirana by Mr. Nihat Zeybekci, Turkish Minister of Economy is also ready to facilitate the current and new Turkish investors in their activities in Albania.
Frankly speaking, it is true that we receive some complaints from Turkish companies regarding the shortcomings in business life. We follow and appreciate the Albanian government for its endeavor to solve the problems of the Turkish investors. I hope that these barriers or difficulties will be eliminated very soon following the active implementation of the decriminalization law and the finalization of justice reform in Albania.
I believe that the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project and the initiation of negotiations with the EU will further contribute to the influx of investments to Albania.
In which area the Turkish expertise is in great demand in Albanian market?
Let me say “culture” (smiling). It is very distinctive that the Turkish soap operas are the most demanded and popular Turkish products in Albania nowadays. They are catalyzing the interest towards Turkish culture which is very similar to the Albanian culture, indeed.
In terms of commercial outputs, as I said before, banking, telecommunication, mining, energy, logistics, infrastructure and textile are among the most leading sectors where Turkish companies are active. You already know that BKT Bank, Kurum Holding, Albtelecom & Eagle, Beralb, Ayen Energy, à‡aÄŸatay Logistics and Limak Holding are operating in Albania for a long time.
But, the textiles firms such as Damat’s, Koton, Collezione, Little &Big, NetWork and Flo have recently flourishing in Albanian market. Textile and foot wear is among the first items of Turkish exports to Albania. I am happy to see these well-known Turkish brands here. The Turkish firms in food sector also entered in Albanian market.
The cultural similarities between two countries directly shape the consumption habits of the people. So, the Turkish products are in great demand in general.
What’s the history and growth prospect of cultural and tourism relations between the countries? How can we make it even spicier?
I personally attach great importance to the cultural dimension of our relations. We are gladly observing that the cultural similarities between our two societies unfolded by the increasing trade relations motivate Albanians to learn and to know the Turkish language and culture.
In fact, both societies are rediscovering each other after the collapse of the communist rule in Albania. At this point, Turkish Yunus Emre Cultural Centers, both in Tirana and Shkodra and Šžemsettin Sami Frasheri Cultural Center in Ankara are playing a great role.
Turkish Cultural Centers in Albania are offering Turkish language courses and promoting common cultural values from paintings to handcrafts; from literature to cinema.
The close cultural relations directly shape the interconnection in tourism sector, as well. For the time being, around 100,000 Turkish citizens visit Albania, whereas 80,000 Albanian citizens visit Turkey every year. This is not satisfying for us. To be honest, comparing with the other countries in the region, Albania is still unknown for Turkish people. An article regarding the promotion of Albania with the title of “Balkan Beauty: Albania” was published on the 2014 December edition of “Sky Life” , official journal of Turkish Airlines. It is with great pleasure that I can express that at least 5 million passengers of THY had the opportunity to read this article.
Plus, the representatives of Association of Turkish Tourism Agencies (TURSAB) paid a visit to Albania two years ago. The TURSAB delegation was received by then Minister of Tourism, Mme Eglantina Gjermeni and also had meetings with the representatives of the Albanian National Tourism Agency and the Albanian Associations of Travel Agencies. The TURSAB aims is to bring 500.000 Turkish tourists in Albania in the short term. I believe that this aim will be realized very soon. On the other hand, the insufficient tourism facilities having no more than 8,000 bed capacity at the same time and infrastructure as well as difficulties in transportation to the natural and historical places in Albania are the main challenges for reaching this aim. Initiating a comprehensive tourism policy in 1980-s, Turkey has entered into the top tourism destinations after 2000-s. Our country is among the top 10 countries both in tourism revenues and tourist numbers. Over 30 million tourists from different countries visit Turkey annually. Turkey is the fourth country in terms of the number of blue flag on the beaches and the ninth country with its marinas. With its total bed amount over 700,000 in all inclusive hotels, Albanian tourists are very welcome in Turkey.
What about the health tourism between the two countries?
Wow, it is quite a specific question.
I can say that located in an important geothermal belt, Turkey is the among the 10 countries with its 1,500 thermal sources. Up to now, we have built 190 facilities with 30,000 bed capacity in 46 provinces. We plan to build new facilitates with 100,000 bed capacity on potential sources. To be honest, the number of the European tourists visiting Turkey for health purposes has increased in last ten years after the finalization of health reform in Turkey. As for Albania, there are some health agencies operating in Albania such as Medivia Ä°stanbul, Gà¼ven Hospital, Acıbadem. The Albanian patients are treated in Turkey through these agencies. On the other hand, the Turkish Government covers all costs of treatment of the 100 Albanian patients annually in accordance with a protocol between two Ministries of Health. The Albanian patients are treated in Turkey by highly skillful doctors and operators with the most modern and technological equipment. We also treat the Albanian military personnel in Turkish military hospitals. We are very proud of our health system.
The forum businesses are a great source to bring the two countries closer economically. Another forum on the horizon…
Well… You remember that a business forum was held last year in May during the visit of President ErdoÄŸan. We also reached an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development to organize regular meetings to facilitate the business environment in both countries mutually. So, we can expect new business forum upcoming period. The Albanian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also working on it. There is no impediment before us to organize such a forum.
Some of the most known Turkish investments include Kurum Company, Albtelecom & Eagle Mobile telecommunication companies and the most successful second tier bank in the country, Banka Kombetare Tregtare (National Commercial Bank). Should we expect some new investors this year?
Yes, they are indeed.
For your question, I can say that KılıৠBalıkà§Ä±lık, in other saying KılıৠFishing company has started its activities in the north shores of Albania. The company is one of the biggest fish growing firms in Europe. The Turkish energy and construction companies are also seriously interested in the hydro-electric projects on the rivers of Vjosa and Drini. However, I would like to touch upon some projects of TÄ°KA for this year. The Turkish government is planning to donate police uniforms to Albanian Ministry of Interior. The tender with the cooperation of TÄ°KA Office in Tirana and Police Liaison Office of the Embassy was finalized in last month. The donation ceremony is planned to be done at the last quarter of 2016. The construction of new Albanian parliament building and the renovation of Gjirokastra city are also some projects of TÄ°KA which contribute to the Albanian economy with their high costs.
Mr. Ambassador, how would you characterize your so far time in Albania? What is your future vision about the bilateral relations between Albania and Turkey?
Like at home. Having served in Slovenia and Macedonia, I am familiar with the region and its people and culture, in fact. I feel almost like home here thanks to such cultural similarities and the warmth extended by the friendly Albanian people. As you know Bosniaks and Albanians are the two Balkan communities which have a large presence in today’s Turkey. They are respected and welcomed. One who has been to Turkey can precisely understand what I mean. I feel just as welcome when I come to Albania.
I observe that the Albanian people are very curious towards the Turkish language and culture thanks to the increasing cultural interaction between the two nations. Many Albanian citizens somehow visited Turkey once at least for business or for leisure. I am impressed how much they know about Turkey. On the other hand, there is a small group of authors and historians who are evaluating and distorting the common history far from scientific methods. They are writing a discriminative and one-sided history triggering negative feelings among the peoples. We can create some joint study groups on an objective common history to consolidate the relations between the new generations of the two societies. In my opinion, the relations between two countries will be further deepened and enhanced in the future following the evaluation of the history in a fair and impartial way.
