The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Resident Abroad, Nasser Bourita, welcomed his Albanian counterpart, Igli Hasani, on an official visit to Morocco. The two officials praised the strong ties between their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening them, particularly in the economic, commercial, and cultural sectors. Hasani commended the reforms carried out under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, as well as Morocco's development efforts. He also highlighted the Kingdom's New Development Model. The two ministers reiterated their commitment to peace and stability, emphasizing the importance of respecting territorial integrity and resolving conflicts through peaceful means. Albania recognized Morocco's role as a pillar of stability and a driver of development in Africa, while Morocco acknowledged the impact of transformations in the Western Balkans. Hasani also expressed Albania's interest in Morocco's Atlantic initiatives, particularly the one announced on November 6, 2023, aimed at facilitating access to the Atlantic for Sahel states. Regarding the Western Sahara issue, Albania reaffirmed its support for the UN-led political process and acknowledged Morocco's efforts, considering the autonomy initiative a serious and credible basis for resolving the conflict. This position aligns with Albania's evolving stance since 2004 when it severed ties with the so-called «SADR» after having recognized it under its former communist regime in 1987. This diplomatic shift was further solidified in 2015 when Albania officially expressed its support for Morocco's territorial integrity during a visit to Rabat by then-Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati. As part of efforts to enhance bilateral relations, Morocco announced the exemption of Albanian nationals from visa requirements for short stays, a measure aimed at boosting tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Morocco also welcomed Albania's reform efforts in its bid to join the European Union. Finally, both countries pledged to continue coordinating within international organizations.
