Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday signed a joint declaration of friendship marking 25 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Photo: Kobi Gideon GPO.

JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday signed a joint declaration of friendship marking 25 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

During their meeting, Rama expressed an interest in strengthening bilateral relations with Israel in the fields of security, cyber, water, energy and innovation. Netanyahu added that Israel plans to expand relations with Albania in a number of areas including trade.

Netanyahu also thanked Albania, a Muslim majority country, for their steadfast support of Israel.

“I think Albania is the only country whose Jewish population during the Holocaust actually grew because of the refuge and the sanctuary and the friendship and courage showed by the people of Albania. We never forget our friends, and we appreciate that display of humanity, civility and courage in our darkest hours,” Netanyahu said.

Albania recently voted against the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) resolution proposed by Arab nations that called for supervision of Israel’s nuclear facilities.