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Visit to Albania

Topic: Report

1 December 2022

Federal President Steinmeier visited Albania on 1 and 2 December. His first visit to Albania was used to express Germany's support for the country's ongoing journey towards the European Union. After political talks inter alia with President Begaj and Prime Minister Rama, the Federal President addressed parliament in Tirana. Furthermore, he visited the Museum of Secret Surveillance: "House of Leaves", discussed how to deal with the communist past.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier being welcomed with military honours by the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, at the Presidential Office in Tirana

Federal President Steinmeier visited Albania on 1 and 2 December.

The trip focused on the situation in the region, the impact of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and Germany's continued support for the country's EU accession perspectives.

This was Federal President Steinmeier's first visit to the Republic of Albania which was used to express Germany's support for the country's ongoing journey towards the European Union. After political talks inter alia with President Begaj and Prime Minister Rama, the Federal President addressed parliament in Tirana. Furthermore, he visited the Museum of Secret Surveillance: House of Leaves, discussed how to deal with the communist past and talked to pupils from the six Western Balkan countries. In Berat, the Federal President also gained an insight into German-Albanian development cooperation.

Prior to this visit, the Federal President was in the Republic of North Macedonia from 29 November to 1 December.

Overview of the programme:

Thursday, 1 December

  • Arrival in Tirana, Albania
  • Presidential Office
    Welcome with military honours by Bajram Begaj, President of the Republic of Albania, followed by talks
  • Press conference with the President of the Republic of Albania
  • Parliament of the Republic of Albania
    Speech to parliament
  • National Martyrs Cemetery
    Wreath-laying ceremony at the Mother Albania Monument
  • Presidential Palace (Palace of Brigades)
    Luncheon hosted by the President of the Republic of Albania
  • Prime Minister’s Office
    Talks with Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania
  • Sami Frashëri High School
    Conversation with pupils from the six Western Balkan countries
  • Museum of Secret Surveillance: House of Leaves
    Visit the museum
  • Synodical and Cultural Centre of the Orthodox Cathedral
    Discussion on how to deal with the communist past
  • Reception hosted by the German Ambassador

Friday, 2 December

  • Lufthansa Industry Solutions
    Talks with trainees and with German business and development cooperation representatives on attracting skilled workers and on vocational training
  • Berat
    Luncheon hosted by Mayor Ervin Demo
  • King Mosque
    Visit the King Mosque and the Halveti Tekke
  • Berat Castle
    Visit the castle complex
  • Flight to Berlin

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