Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Albania are good and varied. Albania is a priority country for Swiss development cooperation. Switzerland also supports Albania through its commitment to the development and stabilisation of the Western Balkans region.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Albania
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Albania focus on development cooperation, strengthening economic cooperation, and collaboration on migration and consular matters.
Since April 2011, the regional consular centre in Pristina, Kosovo, has been providing consular services for Swiss nationals living in Albania.
Economic cooperation
Trade is modest in volume. It has, however, steadily increased over the last two decades. Some large Swiss companies are present in Albania, and an increasing number of SMEs are discovering the Albanian market. Currently approximately 30 Swiss companies are active in Albania.
The Swiss-based company TAP is constructing the 'Trans Adriatic Pipeline' through Albania to bring natural gas from Azerbaijan to the southern gas corridor that passes through Greece, Albania and Italy.
The Swiss embassy organises regular exchanges with the Swiss business community in Albania.
Cooperation in education and research
Researchers and artists from Albania can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
In addition, research cooperation programmes funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) support scientific research and research cooperation activities within the Western Balkans region.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists
Development cooperation
Swiss development cooperation activities are guided by the development priorities of the Albanian government and aim to support Albania in its reform agenda and its path towards European integration. Switzerland has supported Albania’s democratic transition since 1992. Its cooperation strategy for Albania 2018–2021, which is funded by the SDC and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has an annual budget of approximately CHF 26 million.
The strategy focuses on four areas:
Democratic governance
Economic development and jobs
Urban infrastructure and energy
Health
Cultural exchanges
Switzerland fosters cultural exchanges and the creation of links between artists and other cultural actors in both countries. The Swiss embassy regularly supports cultural events in music, theatre, literature and film. Several Swiss musicians have performed in concerts around Albania.
Swiss citizens in Albania
According to statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 71 Swiss citizens living in Albania at the end of 2019.
History of bilateral relations
Switzerland and Albania established diplomatic relations in 1970. Switzerland opened an embassy in Tirana in 1992. Since then relations and exchanges have steadily increased.
