President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Albania for its support and assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
“Thank you for the fact that the people of Albania did not hesitate whom to support in this struggle. You have definitely taken the side of freedom and truth,” he told the Albanian parliament on Tuesday, speaking via video link.
“Thank you for concrete steps, for defense assistance, for supporting sanctions against Russia, for taking care of our people and accepting our children, in particular in Durres,” Zelensky said.
According to the president, “such an attitude towards Ukrainians in difficult times reminds me of Holy Mother Teresa, an Albanian whose life has become a symbol of humanism.”
“She taught people that good can overcome evil and get closer to the holiness that people will remember from generation to generation,” Zelensky said.
From September 6, new requirements are introduced for all persons entering the territory of Albania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said.
According to the interactive map of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (tripadvisor.mfa.gov.ua), to enter Albania, one of the documents will be required, such as a passport of full vaccination against coronavirus (COVID-19) infection (the last vaccination must be done no later than 2 weeks before the planned date entry), negative PCR test done no earlier than 72 hours before entry, or negative test for COVID-19 antigen done no later than 48 hours before entry, certificate of previous COVID-19 disease within the last six months.
As of July 29, Ukraine can freely fly on vacation to the following six countries: Bulgaria, Turkey, Egypt, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia, Minister of Infrastructure Vladyslav Krykliy said on his Telegram channel on Wednesday.
He said that it is possible to get to Bulgaria only if there is a negative test for coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, made within 72 hours before arrival. In order to get to Croatia the travelers have to show mandatory negative PCR test at entry, made within the last 48 hours. He said that after visiting Montenegro, a 14-day self-isolation upon arrival in Ukraine is required.
According to the minister, entry and return to Turkey, Egypt and Albania are without restrictions.
Krykliy also said that a PCR test can be done before departure, right at the airport, namely, at Boryspil, Lviv and Odesa airports, as the PCR laboratories have been installed for quick testing.
“The data on entry changes every day depending on the epidemiological situation in the countries. Therefore, be sure to check the information before traveling,” he also said
ALBANIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, EGYPT, MONTENEGRO, TURKEY, VACATION
Ukraine International Airlines starts selling tickets for flights to the countries of the Adriatic coast.
Tickets are already available on the airline’s website from $250 in both directions, including hand luggage and one piece of baggage weighing up to 23 kg.
UIA plans to operate flights on the Kyiv-Tirana route from July 24 to September 11 on Tuesdays and Fridays.
“Today, Ukrainian tourists are allowed free entry to the territory of Albania, even without passing PCR test,” UIA noted.
UIA plans to operate flights on the route Kyiv-Tivat on Sundays from July 26 to October 4, and also on Thursdays from July 30 to September 17.
From July 30, 2020 to September 17, 2020, another flight will be added, which will be operated every Thursday at 12:10.
“From July 8, Ukrainian tourists can freely cross the borders of Montenegro without passing a PCR test,” the airline said.
UIA plans to carry out flights on the Kyiv-Split route on Saturdays from July 18 to September 26 this year.
“Today, tourists from Ukraine can cross the Croatian border without a 14-day self-isolation under several conditions: the availability of a negative PCR test, which was done no later than 48 hours, a booked package of services (flight, accommodation, insurance),” UIA noted.
The Health Ministry of Ukraine has released an updated list of states of the so-called ‘red zone’, after which it is necessary to undergo an obligatory observation or PCR-testing.
The ‘red zone’ includes the countries, where the incidence rate exceeds 40 per 100,000 of population.
The list still includes French Guiana, USA, Panama, Armenia, Oman, Belgium, Peru, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Honduras, Kuwait, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Dominican Republic, Northern Macedonia, Ecuador, Israel, Moldova , Equatorial Guinea, Russia, Cape Verde, Gabon, Colombia, Portugal, Chile, Belarus, Guatemala, Turks and Caicos Islands, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, France, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Seychelles, Luxembourg, Mayotte, Costa Rica, Canada, Singapore, Iraq, Mauritania, CAR, Maldives, Mexico, Bangladesh, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, El Salvador, Pakistan.
Besides, Eswatini, Albania, Bulgaria and Czech Republic were also added to that list.
Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Haiti switched from the ‘red zone’ to the ‘green one’.
Ukraine also in the ‘red zone’ with 62.4 per 100,000 population.
Ukraine plans to open its embassy in Albania this year, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vasyl Bodnar said during a meeting with newly appointed Charge d’Affaires of the Republic of Albania in Ukraine Fation Peni.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (MFA), Bodnar informed the Albanian side about Ukraine’s plans to open its embassy in Albania in 2020 “which will mark the beginning of qualitatively new stage in the history of Ukraine-Albania relations.”
Peni passed the Ukrainian side Albania’s note on the opening of the country’s diplomatic mission in Ukraine.
The parties shared opinions about the preparations for the conclusion of an underlying agreement on friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and Albania, which will become the main document determining the framework of bilateral relations.
Bodnar and Peni also praised the resumption of air traffic between Ukraine and Albania from June 26, 2020 and the selection of Ukraine International Airlines for carrying out regular flights between the capitals of the two countries.
They also discussed intensification of the countries’ high-level political dialogue.
