The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Albania, Tayyar Kagan Atay gave an interview to Infoweb Media. 

This was the first interview he gave for the year 2023 as the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Tirana. 

Among others, in the interview Mr. the ambassador underlined that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Türkiye. He described the two peoples as "brothers" with a centuries-old history and tradition. 

This history of relations culminated in the signing of joint declarations of Strategic Partnership. 

Tayyar Kagan Atay also spoke about the role played by Turkey and Albania for regional and global stability, Albania's support for EU membership, etc. 

Mr. Atay also shows the emotions of his appointment as ambassador to the Republic of Albania, saying that he felt as if he had "come home". 

Full interview of Sh.T.Z. Tayyar Kagan Atay: 
 

1. Mr. Ambassador, in this 100-year anniversary of Albania-Türkiye relations, can we take stock of bilateral relations between our two peoples and our two countries? 

With the "Eternal Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation" signed on December 15, 1923, diplomatic relations between our countries were established. The year 2023, when we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, is also the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye. So it is a very important year for us. On the other hand, although it is 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, it is clear that the relations between the societies of the two countries date back centuries. This common history and centuries-old tradition of living together is the most important driving force of our relations in political, economic, cultural and other fields. In fact, we can talk about two brotherly peoples here. Everyone has at least one citizen of Albanian origin in Türkiye. Our culture, customs and traditions are all intertwined with each other. Of course, this also has a political reflection. With the Joint Declaration signed in Ankara by our President and Prime Minister Rama in January 2021, our bilateral relations were raised to the level of Strategic Partnership. The signing of this declaration constitutes a turning point. After this date, there has been a significant increase in high-level mutual visits, inter-institutional contacts, agreements and areas of cooperation. Recently, on November 1, 2022, Minister Çavu?oglu hosted Olta Xhaçka, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in our country. In the first official visit of Minister Xhaçka to our country as Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the honorable ministers held the meeting of the Political Dialogue Group, which was a preparation for the meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council that will be held for the first time. Therefore, in 2023, on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, a busy agenda awaits us in politics and in every other field. 

2. Mr. Ambassador, Albania and Türkiye have a strategic and historical partner, but can we make a prediction of what our countries need to do in the next 100 years to strengthen these relations and this partnership? 

As two Balkan countries allied in NATO and candidate countries for the EU, we are determined to continue our cooperation with Albania in all fields. In this context, we hope that our political relations, which we crowned with the Strategic Partnership in 2021, will be further strengthened through continuous high-level mutual visits and contacts. The current geopolitical challenges we are going through have made the cooperation between Türkiye and Albania, two important countries of the Balkans, even more important. In this context, we would like to continue our close dialogue and cooperation in international organizations on many global and regional issues with Albania, which has a key position for the stability and security of Europe and the Balkans. Last year, we achieved our goal of increasing our bilateral trade volume to over $1 billion. In 2022, our bilateral trade volume reached 1.1 billion dollars. Türkiye is currently among the largest foreign investors in Albania. The total volume of our investments has exceeded 3.5 billion dollars. Mainly in the service sector, 600 Turkish companies operate in Albania. In the future, we will continue to make efforts to further increase the trade volume and mutual investments. Our excellent interstate relations undoubtedly derive their strength from friendly ties. In this context, we will continue to encourage mutual contacts between our peoples, relations between our universities and local government, as well as cultural activities to gradually increase.

3. Mr. Ambassador, as you know, Albania finally officially opened negotiations with the EU in July. Meanwhile, Türkiye is an EU candidate country. What is Türkiye's approach regarding the EU integration process of Albania and the countries of the Balkan Region? 

We support all Albania's efforts towards full membership in the EU, I wish from the bottom of my heart that at the end of the membership process we will see our friendly Albania as a member of the EU. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize once again that our country, being a candidate country for negotiations, is ready to support Albania, a friend and ally, by sharing our knowledge and experience in all areas related to the EU membership process. In fact, the integration of all Balkan countries with the Euro-Atlantic institutions is one of the priorities of our Balkan policy. We believe that the future of the Balkan region, of which Turkey is also a part, lies in the EU. The existing geopolitical challenges have brought the enlargement policy back to the EU agenda after a long hiatus. Candidate country status in Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina; Georgia was given the perspective of the EU, the process of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia began. We hope that all these developments will reflect positively on the EU enlargement policy and the accession processes of the candidate countries, including Türkiye. We believe that EU enlargement policy should be based on fair criteria and be results-oriented. 

4. Mr. Ambassador, you are in the first year of your mandate, have you been able to visit Albania as a whole. Are you impressed by the Albanians' hospitality and respect for Türkiye and you as its representative? 

On June 24, I came to Albania and began my duties as Ambassador. During this period of about seven months, we had the opportunity to see many cities from the south and north of the country together with my family. Albania is a very special country with its unique natural beauties. We as a family have liked it very much. I am sure that many other beautiful places are waiting for us to see them. Everywhere we go we are greeted as brothers. One of my unforgettable memories of the care that Albania and Albanians have shown towards me and my family were undoubtedly my first minutes in Albania. I came from Türkiye to Albania by land and when I arrived at the border, I just declared that I am the Ambassador of Türkiye, I was extremely welcomed by the police officers at the border with sincerity and warmth, we even hugged like brothers and congratulated each other. They were happy as if a relative of theirs had arrived and they were waiting for them in the meantime, and I was just as happy as if I had joined my relatives after the journey. That moment means a lot to me and will always be in my memory. Just when I said I came to a new place, it was a welcome as if I had come home. In fact, that moment was a herald of the hospitality and generosity that I would see later in other cities of Albania.

The interview was conducted by the Director of Infoweb Media and member of the Global Media Council, Anisa Bahiti.