Albania and Kosovo agreed to strengthen cooperation in the agriculture and rural development sector through the signing of two agreements on Friday in Tirana.

The agreements were signed during the visit of Kosovo’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Armend Muja, to the Albanian capital.

At a joint press conference, Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, emphasized that the signing of the two cooperation agreements reflects the excellent relations between the two countries.

The minister also reaffirmed the shared commitment to translating this cooperation into concrete initiatives and tangible benefits for citizens.

“These agreements follow the meeting held in April in Pristina and constitute an important step in implementing the commitments made by both sides. They formalize our cooperation in two strategic areas. First, the development of agricultural advisory services, technology transfer and the promotion of innovation in agriculture. Second, the creation of a common approach to the marketing, promotion and facilitation of trade in agri-food products,” Salla said.

According to Salla, agriculture remains a strategically important sector for both countries, with a direct impact on economic development, the well-being of rural communities, job creation and food security.

For this reason, he stressed the importance of strengthening institutional capacities to develop joint initiatives that benefit farmers and agri-food entrepreneurs.

“The agreement on the marketing and promotion of agri-food products aims to increase the competitiveness of our products and strengthen their presence in regional and international markets,” Salla added.

He noted that the agreement also provides for the coordination of promotional activities, joint participation in trade fairs, and enhanced cooperation between economic operators in both countries.

Meanwhile, the agreement on advisory services, technology transfer and innovation is intended to modernize the agricultural sector by strengthening professional capacities, sharing knowledge and best practices, improving and digitalizing services for farmers, and supporting them with innovative technologies and solutions that enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Salla also emphasized that these cooperation instruments create new opportunities for participation in European Union-funded projects.

The minister expressed confidence that the agreements will deliver concrete and long-term benefits for the agri-food sectors of both Albania and Kosovo and provide a solid foundation for future cooperation.