Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

04/21/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/21/2021 09:36

“We have been exerting efforts for the peace, stability and development of the Balkans”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Turkey-Albania Fier Friendship Hospital, President Erdoğan said: 'We have been exerting efforts for the peace, serenity, stability and development of the whole Balkans, Albania in particular. Those who see Turkey as a threat or rival are making a great mistake by pursuing solely their own interests. I believe that we are adding one more link to the long-standing and multi-pronged friendship between Turkey and Albania.'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed via videoconference the opening ceremony of Turkey-Albania Fier Friendship Hospital.

'TURKEY-ALBANIA RELATIONS GROW STRONGER AND DEEPER DAY BY DAY'

Deriving strength from the shared culture and history, the Turkey-Albania relations grow stronger and deeper day by day, President Erdoğan said. 'Having done what is a necessity of our fraternity, Turkey has been providing every kind of support for Albania's social and economic development for over 30 years. We have stood by the Albanian people with all our means both in the aftermath of the September and November 2019 quakes and during their fight against the coronavirus pandemic without expecting anything in return.'

'WE ARE PROUD TO BE FULFILLING OUR PROMISE TO OUR ALBANIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS'

Noting that Turkey-Albania Fier Friendship Hospital would significantly contribute to Albania's healthcare infrastructure, President Erdoğan, in reference to the visit Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama paid to Turkey in January, stated: 'We had announced back then our decision to build a 150-bed hospital within three months. Thanks be to Allah, we are now proud to be fulfilling our promise to our Albanian brothers and sisters.'

'WE ARE ADDING ONE MORE LINK TO THE LONG-STANDING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND ALBANIA'

President Erdoğan stated: 'We have been exerting efforts for the peace, serenity, stability and development of the whole Balkans, Albania in particular. Those who see Turkey as a threat or rival are making a great mistake by pursuing solely their own interests. I believe that we are adding one more link to the long-standing and multi-pronged friendship between Turkey and Albania.'

Reiterating his hope for the hospital to lead to auspicious developments for the Albanian people as a new sign of the solidarity between Turkey and Albania, President Erdoğan wished Allah's mercy upon the Albanians who lost their lives due to the pandemic and extended his condolences to their relatives.