U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Albanian capital of Tirana on Thursday as part of his diplomatic visit, which includes stops in Albania and Germany from February 14-17, the US State Department said.
In Tirana, Secretary Blinken is set to reaffirm the strong bilateral relations between the United States and Albania.
The US State Department said in a statement that Albania, recognized as a key stabilizing force in the Western Balkans, is a crucial ally in supporting Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.
It added that the visit underscores the United States’ commitment to partnering with Albania on various fronts, including enhancing the nation’s cyber defenses and collaborating on the resettlement of thousands from Afghanistan.
Following his visit to Albania, Secretary Blinken will travel to Munich, Germany, to attend the Munich Security Conference.
As part of the U.S. delegation led by Vice President Kamala Harris, he will participate in discussions central to global security and peace. The agenda includes reinforcing the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine, exploring strategies for sustainable peace in the Middle East, and affirming the U.S.’s dedication to transatlantic security.
Blinken’s agenda in Munich also involves bilateral meetings with international partners and participation in a public forum on multilateralism, the department said, adding that these engagements are aimed at fostering dialogues on collaborative efforts to address global challenges and enhance international security.
