Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed Ukraine’s defence needs and the possibility of joint arms production with Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama.
This came during Zelenskyy’s meeting with Rama as part of his visit to the Republic of Albania to participate in the Ukraine–South East Europe Summit.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the government and people of Albania for the strong support of Ukraine in its war against Russia.
He noted the defense assistance provided by Albania to Ukraine and thanked the Albanian government for the decision to allocate a new tranche of military support, including equipment and ammunition.
Zelenskyy also expressed hope that Albania would continue to host Ukrainian children for rehabilitation and assist in the rehabilitation of wounded Ukrainian defenders.
He hailed the active work of the Republic of Albania on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the readiness of Edi Rama to participate in the upcoming Global Peace Summit in Switzerland.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the work on a bilateral security agreement in the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine, which was joined by Albania.
The President thanked the Republic of Albania for joining the EU sanctions against the aggressor and supporting the 13th sanctions package.
As part of the meeting in Tirana, Zelenskyy and Rama signed the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania.
The document will help develop cooperation with Albania and strengthen Ukraine’s position in the Balkan region.
According to the Treaty, Ukraine and Albania will develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, science and technology, culture, education, healthcare, media, tourism and sports.
It also provides for the establishment of commercial contacts between state and private enterprises and organizations of the two countries.
In addition, the parties will cooperate in the field of environmental protection, the use of environmentally friendly technologies and the rational use of natural resources.
Ukraine and Albania will ensure the expansion of contacts between citizens and governmental and non-governmental organizations, trade unions, educational and cultural institutions, youth and sports organizations of the two countries.
The two countries will also cooperate in the fight against organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and smuggling of all kinds, including of cultural and historical property.
Zelenskyy Urges Balkan Countries To Aid Arms Production
In opening remarks at Ukraine – South East Europe Summit in Albania, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for Balkan allies to assist the country through joint arms production.
The summit is aimed at bolstering support for Kyiv from southeastern European countries, as Ukraine faces challenges on the battlefield and a question mark remains over its continued funding.
“We are interested in co-production with you and all our partners,” Zelenskyy told top delegations from Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia, Montenegro, Croatia and Moldova.
“There are about 500 defence companies operating in Ukraine, each of them adds strength but it is not enough to win [against] Putin. We see the problems with the supply of ammunition, which affects the situation on the battlefield.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy proposed organising a Ukrainian-Balkans defence forum in Kyiv or a Balkan capital to nurture arms cooperation, repeating similar initiatives conducted last year with British and US weapons companies.
Moreover, the Ukrainian President said that the path of Europe is “being determined for at least several generations” and Russian President, Vladimir Putin is trying to “decide how nations should exist.”
Zelenskyy asserted that it was “critical for all free nations that [Putin] and his regime lose.”
Zelenskyy noted that cooperation was needed to ensure every nation’s security.
“Everything that makes us good partners also makes Putin weaker,” the Ukrainian leader said.
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