President Erdogan embarks on Balkan tour with official visit to Albania
Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during his party's group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkiye on October 9, 2024. (Osmancan Gurdogan - Anadolu Agency)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan departed from Ankara on Thursday morning to begin a two-day tour of the Balkans, starting with an official visit to Albania.
The tour will also include a stop in Serbia, with discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in the region.
Erdogan departs from Ankara for Albania
President Erdogan left Esenboga Airport at 9:55 a.m. local time (0655GMT), accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including his wife Emine Erdogan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and other senior officials.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir, Minister of Trade Omer Bolat, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Director of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin, and Director of Religious Affairs Ali Erbas also went to Albania.
The delegation is set to engage in a series of meetings focused on diplomatic and economic cooperation during the tour.
Inauguration of Tirana’s Grand Mosque
One of the key highlights of Erdogan’s visit to Albania is the inauguration of the Grand Mosque of Tirana, also known as the Namazgah Mosque – a significant religious and cultural project for the Balkan nation.
The mosque’s opening ceremony is expected to be attended by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, along with other dignitaries.
Strengthening bilateral relations in Balkans
The visit is part of a broader effort to enhance Türkiye’s relations with Balkan countries. In Albania, discussions are expected to cover various topics, including economic collaboration, infrastructure projects and cultural exchange.
Erdogan’s next stop will be Serbia, where similar high-level talks will be held with Serbian leaders.
