20 January 2026, Chișinău - Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi, held a meeting today with the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to Chișinău.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral dialogue, in the context of Moldova’s and Albania’s status as candidate countries for European Union membership. Both parties emphasized the importance of close cooperation to advance the European path of both states, including by leveraging opportunities offered by the EU enlargement process.

Vice Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi appreciated Albania’s experience in the European Union accession process and its willingness to support the Republic of Moldova in this endeavor.

"Albania is an important partner for the Republic of Moldova, and its expertise in European integration represents a valuable support for our reform efforts. We are interested in intensifying cooperation through exchanges of expertise and best practices, as well as developing joint projects," stated Minister Mihai Popșoi.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and coordination of positions in multilateral formats as essential tools for promoting stability, security, and sustainable development in the region.

Furthermore, the parties addressed the expansion of cooperation in economic and trade areas, focusing on identifying new opportunities for collaboration, including in the tourism sector. They stressed the potential of both countries to develop sustainable economic partnerships that would contribute to increasing trade, attracting investments, and strengthening connections between business communities.

President Bajram Begaj, in turn, appreciated the nature of bilateral relations and expressed his country’s commitment to supporting Moldova’s European path.