Albania celebrates Independence Day in Kyiv for first time in new embassy
A ceremonial reception on the occasion of the 113th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Albania, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine, was held on Thursday, November 27, at the Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv in Kyiv.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevhen Perebiynis, people's deputies, representatives of the military and local authorities, the diplomatic corps, scientific and cultural institutions, as well as the Albanian community of Ukraine.
In his speech, the Ambassador of Albania to Ukraine Ernal Filo recalled that on November 28, 1912, the establishment of the Albanian state was proclaimed in the city of Vlora, and emphasized that this year's anniversary is being celebrated for the first time in Kyiv after the opening of the Albanian embassy.
He described it as a “new chapter in diplomatic presence” and a symbol of deepening relations between the two countries and solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
The Ambassador emphasized Albania’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for the European course of our state. He recalled that Albania, as a NATO member, consistently stands by Ukraine on the platforms of the UN, the Council of Europe, and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, opposing attempts to change the borders of Europe by force. A separate block of the speech was devoted to economic cooperation.
According to the Ambassador, bilateral trade between Albania and Ukraine in recent years has exceeded 65 million euros, with positive dynamics in the agro-industrial sector, metallurgy, construction materials, and food products. Ukrainian companies are showing interest in the Albanian market in the fields of grain supply, energy, logistics and agro-technologies, while Albanian exports to Ukraine include minerals, medicinal plants, construction materials and tourism services. The ambassador noted that 57 companies with 100% Ukrainian capital and 6 joint ventures with Albanian partners are already operating in Albania, primarily in the Vlora region, which is becoming a “gateway” for investment, tourism and maritime activities.
In his opinion, this creates a basis for further expansion of economic cooperation. Filo also emphasized the growing role of Albania as a tourist destination and invited more Ukrainian tourists and investors to the country, highlighting the potential of the Albanian Riviera, the mountainous north and the historic cities of Berat and Gjirokastra.
He called culture "the most beautiful bridge"” between peoples, mentioning Albanian polyphonic music, Mediterranean cuisine and contemporary art. The ambassador separately noted the long-standing Albanian diaspora in Ukraine – communities in Odessa, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, which have preserved their language and traditions for generations and serve as a "living bridge of friendship" between the two countries.
Speaking about the war, Ernal Filo stated that Albania will continue to remain on the side of Ukraine, freedom and international law, and true peace is impossible without justice. He cited the example of the reconstruction of a school in Kharkiv with the support of the Municipality of Tirana as a symbol of human solidarity. In the final part of his speech, the ambassador emphasized the common goal of Albania and Ukraine – full integration into the European Union, welcomed the decision of the European Council to open negotiations on Ukraine’s membership, and called Europe the “common home” of the two peoples.
Diplomatic relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania were established on January 13, 1993. The Embassy of Ukraine in Albania began its work in Tirana in 2020, marking a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. The Embassy of Albania in Ukraine was officially opened in Kyiv on January 17, 2025 - the first foreign diplomatic mission opened in Ukraine after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
