According to SERBIAN ECONOMIST, on April 24, 2025, Albania reintroduced visa-free travel for Belarusian citizens, allowing them to stay in the country for up to 30 days. This decision cancels the previously introduced visa restrictions and makes Albania accessible again to Belarusian tourists without the need to obtain a visa.
Main conditions for visa-free entry
Validity: the visa-free regime is valid until September 30, 2025.
Maximum length of stay: up to 30 days from the date of entry.
Purpose of travel: tourism and short-term private visits.
Documents: you must have a valid passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the date of departure from Albania.
Earlier, in April 2025, Albania suspended the visa-free regime for Belarusian citizens, requiring them to obtain a visa for entry. However, in light of the current changes, Belarusian citizens can once again visit Albania without a visa, which contributes to the development of tourist and cultural ties between the two countries.
Belgrade. May 5. SERBIAN ECONOMIST
On April 24, 2025, the Government of Albania officially suspended the agreement on mutual visa waiver with the Republic of Belarus signed in February 2020. This decision cancels the partial suspension introduced in May 2024, which applied only to diplomatic passports. Now Belarusian citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Albania.
Earlier, in May 2024, Albania partially suspended the agreement, limiting visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The current measure completely abolishes the visa-free regime for all categories of Belarusian citizens.
The decision takes effect immediately and is published in the official gazette of Albania.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/881
Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Albania, Andriy Sibiga and Igli Hasani inaugurated the Embassy of Albania in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga said on Platform X on Friday evening.
On October 20, the embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal and Montenegro were reportedly damaged as a result of enemy shelling in Kiev.
In February 2024, then Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his Albanian counterpart Igli Hasani that Albania plans to open its embassy in Kiev in the near future.
TheRepublic of Albania recognized the independence of Ukraine on January 4, 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 13, 1993.
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Protection (SSUFSCP) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have agreed with the Republic of Albania on two certificates for Ukrainian pet food producers, the agency’s press service reports.
According to the report, a health certificate for canned pet food and a health certificate for chewing items for pets intended for import or transit from Ukraine to Albania have been agreed.
“Opening new markets for Ukrainian exporters is one of the key priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are systematically working on this together with the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Each new market means new opportunities for domestic producers and strengthening of our economy. This is especially important in times of war,” said Andriy Sybiga, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
“Diversification of international sales markets is the focus of special attention of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection. The development of domestic business largely depends on expanding the geography of exports. That is why we continue to do everything possible to support Ukrainian producers, especially in these difficult times,” said the head of the agency, Serhiy Tkachuk.
The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection pointed out that the agreed form of the veterinary certificate for these categories of products is published on the official website of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection in the section “International Cooperation” – “Veterinary and Safety” – “Certificates for Export from Ukraine”.
The first step for exporting Ukrainian products of animal origin is a request from the market operator to the territorial authority of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection at the place of location, the agency reminded.
On Thursday, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) allowed Slovenian poultry producer Perutnina Ptuj, part of MHP agricultural holding, and Balfin – Balkan Finance Investment Group sh.p.k. (Tirana, Albania) to establish a joint venture in Albania, Perutnina Ptuj Albania sh.p.k., the agency’s website reports.
In addition, it is reported that the AMCU has approved the indirect acquisition of more than 50% in four other companies through Perutnina Ptuj Albania sh.p.k: Driza sh.p.k., Fresh Chicken Albania 2019 sh.p.k., Industria Foragjere (VEAF) sh.a., EURO ALB 2009 SHPK (Fier, Albania).
The newly established joint venture Perutnina Ptuj Albania sh.p.k. also intends to acquire the assets of Kompleksi Patos and Qendra Prinderore, owned by businessman Gikmet Driza.
The Albanian Antimonopoly Authority has already approved the deal at a meeting on March 19.
“The proposed transaction will not increase the market power of any of the parties involved in the transaction and is not expected to create problems for competition in terms of horizontal and vertical effects,” the Albanian regulator said in a statement.
According to it, the partnership agreement on the future transaction was signed between Perutnina Ptuj d.o.o. and Balfin on December 8, 2023. According to the document, Perutnina Ptuj will own 81% and Balfin 19% in the Perutnina Ptuj Albania JV, which will be jointly controlled by both companies.
Then, on December 29, Perutnina Ptuj and Balfin signed an agreement with Hikmet and Sula Driza to purchase 100% of the shares of Driza Sh.p.k., Fresh Chicken Albania 2019 sh.p.k. and Industria Foragjere (VEAF) sh.a.
The transfer of assets will take place on the day of fulfillment of all preliminary conditions of the agreement, including all necessary approvals and permits.
It is indicated that Perutnina Ptuj Albania sh.p.k. specializes in investing in poultry farming. It will be engaged in poultry breeding, production of feed, meat and poultry products, trade and services.
Currently, Perutnina operates in Albania only through Kosmonte Foods Tirana distributor.
Balfin SHPK is one of the leading enterprises in Albania. The company specializes in investing in financial instruments, real estate, tangible and intangible assets, providing consulting services and is owned by Samir Mane. The company operates in the retail, real estate, asset management, banking, and energy sectors and was not previously present in the Albanian poultry market.
Driza Sh.p.k. specializes in the cultivation, breeding and production of poultry meat, poultry products and by-products, as well as the purchase, processing, packaging and storage of agricultural and livestock products. Owned by Albanian citizens Hikmet, Sulo and Besnik Driza.
Fresh Chicken Albania 2019 sh.p.k. specializes in poultry slaughter, procurement, processing, packaging and cold storage of agricultural and livestock products, all types of semi-finished and finished products of plant or animal origin. The company is owned by Sulo Driz.
Industria Foragjere, d.d. (VEAF) is engaged in the construction of feed mills, production and trade (wholesale and retail) of feeds, concentrates, vitamins and raw materials (fish meal, meat meal, cereals, bran and other similar products). It is owned by Hikmet Driza and Driza.
EURO ALB 2009 sh.p.k. is engaged in growing crops, purchasing, processing and cold storage of agricultural and livestock products. In addition, it specializes in the production of poultry meat, products and products of their processing, wholesale and retail in the country and abroad, etc. The company is owned by Besnik Driza.
MHP is the largest chicken producer in Ukraine. It also produces grain, sunflower oil, and processed meat products. Its shares are traded on the main floor of the London Stock Exchange. MHP supplies chilled chicken half-carcasses to the European market, which are processed, in particular, at its facilities in the Netherlands and Slovakia. In February 2019, the holding completed the acquisition of Slovenian company Perutnina Ptuj.
In the first nine months of 2023, MHP posted a net profit of $122 million compared to a loss of $269 million in the same period of 2022, while its revenue increased by 22% to $2 billion 294 million and EBITDA by 20% to $329 million.
In particular, the European segment (Perutnina Ptuj) increased its revenue by 19% to $411 million and its EBITDA by 17% to $68 million.
Albania is planning to open its embassy in Kyiv in the near future, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his Albanian counterpart, Igli Hasani.
“During my first visit to friendly Albania, I met with Minister Igli Hasani. I thanked Albania for its strong support and solidarity with Ukraine. We identified ways to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector, paying special attention to artillery ammunition. Albania plans to open its embassy in Kyiv in the near future. I highly appreciate this decision, which will significantly strengthen our bilateral ties,” Kuleba wrote on social network X.
He also thanked Albania for its willingness to join the Core Group of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
In addition, the ministers noted effective cooperation within international organizations.
