Preamble
Ukraine and the Republic of Albania (hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”, or “Ukraine” and “Albania”), reiterate their condemnation in the strongest possible terms of the unprovoked, unjustified and illegal Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris.
Albania reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders as of 1991, including the territorial sea, and acknowledges Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The Participants recognise that Ukraine and the whole of Europe will not be secure until there is a just and lasting peace that respects Ukraine’s rights under international law and the UN Charter.
The cooperation between the Participants is underpinned by a set of shared values, inter alia democracy, rule of law, respect for and safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and gender equality.
The Participants recall that Ukraine will continue to implement an ambitious reform programme and that Albania is dedicated to supporting Ukraine's reforms efforts. These are essential for its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The Participants reaffirm that membership of Ukraine in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are in the strategic interest of Ukraine and Albania.
Albania supported the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine of July 12, 2023 (hereinafter the “G7 Declaration”), adopted by the Group of Seven (G7) and the EU on the margins of the NATO Summit in Vilnius and the Ukraine Compact launched and endorsed on July 11, 2024 on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.
The Participants underline that this Agreement is not a substitute for Ukraine’s future membership in NATO.
Therefore, the Participants have jointly agreed to strengthen their security cooperation by pursuing the following bilateral long-term security commitments and activities.
Part I. Security and Defence
- Albania will seek any possibilities and offer further security and defence-related support to Ukraine across all domains, with the focus on Ukraine’s most urgent needs by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners. Albania supports Ukraine’s Future Force Concept and will continue to take part, bilaterally, multilaterally and with partners (e.g. within the European Union, NATO and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group) in the international endeavour to support the modernization of the Defence Forces of Ukraine to ensure their greater interoperability with NATO.
- It is the policy of Albania to assist Ukraine, on a bilateral basis and through cooperation with Allies and partners, with preservation of its qualitative defence and military edge amid rapid, uncertain and challenging regional political and security transformation.
- Albania will work on its training support to Ukraine in a multilateral framework and bilateral support in any other form of training that may be agreed, including train-the-trainer programmes.
- Albania reaffirms its continuous support to Ukraine through NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP).
- Albania will remain engaged in multinational efforts to support, improve and strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, as well as ensure greater interoperability with NATO and its partners.
- Recalling the significance of civil-military cooperation, Albania will search for any substantial opportunity to implement civil-military projects with civilian capabilities in support of Ukraine, with emphasis on assistance to the civilian population.
- From the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion, Albania has comprehensively supported Ukraine with its contributions in different areas, including military and humanitarian aid.
- Albania has made important military contributions to Ukraine, both bilaterally and via multilateral forums, and will continue to support Ukraine in the same way as in 2022-2024, addressing the most urgent and immediate needs of Ukraine to strengthen its security capabilities and taking into account Albanian capabilities.
- Albania will continue its support to Ukraine for the ten-year duration of this Agreement.
- The Participants will hold senior-level Strategic Defence and Security Policy Dialogue.
- The Participants will work together to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities, with an aim to reach a level that, in the event of external aggression against Albania during the period preceding Ukraine’s accession to NATO, enables Ukraine to reciprocate with effective military assistance.
- Albania will make its contribution to the fighter jet coalition by providing English language training for Ukrainian pilots and technicians.
Defence Industry Cooperation
- Albania welcomes Ukraine's endeavours to integrate its defence industry into NATO and EU efforts for promotion and enhancement of defence production capacities.
- Albania and Ukraine will cooperate on their defence industries integration into the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), considering also the opportunities provided by the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).
- The Participants will seek further potential possibilities and opportunities for defence industry and its research, while developing efforts for the implementation of joint projects with common interest.
- The Participants will identify opportunities for closer defence industrial partnerships and cooperation, joint defence production, including with localization in Ukraine, aimed at mutual commercial and political benefit.
- Albania will work with Ukraine to identify potential funding sources for support of Ukraine’s defence industry projects.
- Albania will work with Ukraine to strengthen protection of the transferred technologies and intellectual property rights.
Intelligence and Security Cooperation
- The Participants will continue to deepen their intelligence and security cooperation in accordance with the framework based on bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Safety and Security
- Recognizing the risks to CBRN safety and security, in particular in armed conflict situations, Ukraine and Albania are committed to sustain and strengthen the existing global nuclear security framework based on the IAEA principles, approaches, conventions, norms and standards as well as other relevant international legal norms and instruments.
- Albania will support Ukraine's endeavours towards CBRN security, its sustainability and improvement, in particular through the sharing of good practices in strengthening the security of high-activity sealed radioactive sources (INFCIRC/910) and countering nuclear smuggling (INFCIRC/918), and exploring options to also address other challenges related to CBRN incidents.
Maritime Security
- The Participants will seek to coordinate their efforts on strengthening international cooperation in the domain of maritime security in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, other international legal instruments, and their national maritime security acts.
- Albania will carry on its support to Ukraine aiming at building modern and resilient maritime security capabilities, including enhancing interoperability and standardisation with NATO.
Cyber Security
- Ukraine and Albania will aim to prevent, detect, deter and disrupt any cyber aggression, cyber espionage and hybrid warfare. The Participants will also aim to identify and deter the malicious use of cyber capabilities by any state and non-state actors against the Participants.
- The Participants will support each other by sharing expertise and engaging in practical cooperation in the areas of cybersecurity and other advanced communications and information technologies (including, but not limited to, capacity building, norm development, legal frameworks, incident response and crisis management, critical infrastructure resilience, capacity building in emerging technologies, etc.).
- Ukraine and Albania will continue to exchange information, share experiences, and cooperate in the development of cyber security and cyber defence capabilities, including through increased cooperation on cyber diplomacy, providing technical assistance to Ukraine, as well as enhancing its cyber resilience.
Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference
- The Participants will cooperate in the area of countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, including Russian or any other state-sponsored information manipulation, malign propaganda and disinformation campaigns affecting national security.
- The Participants will regularly exchange experience and best practices in countering disinformation, strategic communication and public diplomacy.
Cooperation in the Fight against Crime
- The Participants will continue their cooperation under the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Albania, signed in Tirana on 28 February 2024.
- The Participants recognise that serious and organised crime (SOC) poses a threat to their societies.
- In order to counter all types of activities of SOC, terrorism and other crimes, competent authorities of the Participants shall, in accordance with the national legislation of the Participants, cooperate in combating and effectively preventing SOC and other crimes. To this end, the Participants will take measures to conduct joint operations, exchange the criminal information and identify the main risks, create joint working groups for police cooperation, and facilitate the provision of training and sharing of best practices. The above measures are not intended to be exhaustive, and the Participants may pursue other forms of cooperation to achieve their goals in combating SOC.
Cooperation in Combating Drug Trafficking and Human Trafficking
- The Participants will cooperate in countering drug trafficking and human trafficking, enhance information sharing on transnational criminal networks, their operational methods, financial flows to identify and disrupt trafficking routes.
Part II. Political Cooperation and Promoting Accountability
Just Peace
- Albania will continue to support Ukraine's efforts to establish a just and lasting peace based on the key principles and objectives set out in Ukraine’s Peace Formula. Albania will continue its diplomatic efforts to ensure broad global support for its implementation, including involvement of the Global South countries to implement Ukraine’s Peace Formula and participate at the relevant Peace Summits and working groups.
Accountability
- The Participants shall contribute to maintaining international legal order based on the UN Charter principles with regard to ensuring accountability of the Russian Federation and other states that commit gross violations of international law.
- The Participants reaffirm their commitment to ensuring accountability for international crimes committed in or against Ukraine, including the crime of aggression. The Participants will seek to hold to account those responsible for war crimes and other international crimes, committed in or against Ukraine in the context of Russian aggression, consistent with international law, including by supporting the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court to ensure allegations of war crimes and other international crimes, including sexual violence in conflict, are fully and fairly investigated by independent, effective and robust legal mechanisms.
- The Participants will work together in the "Core Group on options for the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine", to establish a tribunal to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
- As members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, the Participants commit to bolster their efforts for the safe return of all illegally deported and forcibly relocated Ukrainian children and the reunification with their families, as well as to support the international endeavours aimed at ensuring accountability of those responsible.
Compensation for Damage, Loss and Injury Caused by Russian Aggression
- The Participants reaffirm their commitment to holding the Russian Federation accountable for causing damage, loss and injury to individuals and entities, as well as to the state of Ukraine, as a result of its internationally wrongful acts in or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the UN Charter, and that the Russian Federation bears financial responsibility for the long-term reconstruction of Ukraine.
- Russian sovereign assets should remain immobilised until the Russian Federation has paid for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. Albania, working with its partners in the European Union, will continue to explore lawful routes consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with EU and international law through which Russian assets could be used for the benefit of Ukraine.
- As a priority, the Participants will continue to work together with other partners towards the establishment of an international compensation mechanism to provide compensation for damage, loss or injury caused by Russian aggression, as envisaged by the Statute of the Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine adopted by the Resolution of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe CM/Res(2023)3. In this regard, the Participants will explore appropriate options for the financing of an international compensation mechanism to provide prompt and adequate compensation to victims of aggression.
Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)
- The Participants recognise the value of restrictive measures (sanctions) in restricting the Russian Federation's access to the finance, goods, technology and services it is utilising in its aggression, in bearing down on Russia's revenue streams, and in deterring future attacks.
- The Participants recall that the European Union has imposed unprecedented restrictive measures (sanctions) against the Russian Federation in response to the war of aggression against Ukraine and aimed at imposing severe consequences on the Russian Federation for its actions and thwarting Russian abilities to continue the aggression. Albania supports these restrictive measures (sanctions) and will continue to impose sanctions on Russia.
- The Participants will continue working to ensure that the costs to Russia for its aggression continue to rise, including through restrictive measures (sanctions) and export controls. Albania will remain committed, in the European framework, to pursuing robust restrictive measures (sanctions) against sectors of the Russian economy and those who are supporting or profiting from the war, or assisting in sanctions circumvention in third countries. Albania will also take determined action with partners to tackle all forms of sanctions circumvention. Albania will consider the possibility of closing seaports for Russian vessels until the territorial integrity of Ukraine is restored and a just and lasting peace is established.
- The Participants will provide each other with up-to-date information on the grounds for restrictive measures (sanctions) and other relevant information, in compliance with relevant obligations taking into account national legislation.
Support to Participants’ Reform Agenda, European and Euro-Atlantic Integration
- The Participants reaffirm that inclusive reform is indispensable for their future security, prosperity, their democracies and the resilience of their institutions and society, as well as for their European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
- The Participants reaffirm that both Ukraine and Albania are part of the European family and have a future within the EU. The Participants recall the merit-based nature of the EU accession process. Ukraine and Albania, in cooperation with the EU and its Member States, will continue to support each other in their accession path.
- Ukraine commits to continue to implement the necessary reforms with particular focus on areas such as justice, law enforcement, fight against corruption, preventing illegal trafficking, decentralisation, public administration, business environment, security and defence sector that underscore Ukraine's commitments to democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and media freedoms.
- Ukraine and Albania will support each other's efforts to integrate into the EU and adopt EU standards and norms by extending expert technical assistance to each other through their ministries, associated agencies, government offices, and foundations.
- The Participants reaffirm their positions that Ukraine's future is in NATO. Albania supports Ukraine’s efforts to implement the necessary reforms on its path to future NATO membership.
- The Participants reaffirm that the security of Ukraine is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region.
- Albania will continue to support Ukraine politically and practically also through NATO – Ukraine Council, Multiyear Comprehensive Assistance Package and through Annual National Programme and other formats. Ukraine commits to continue to implement the necessary reforms in line with its Annual National Programme.
- Any form of bilateral security commitments or guarantees provided to Ukraine by its partners cannot constitute an alternative for full NATO’s membership.
Enhanced Diplomatic Representation
- In order to foster deeper and more regular contact between the Participants, their government offices, parliaments, civil societies, non- governmental and private sector, Albania will enhance its diplomatic representation in Ukraine to provide comprehensive insights into Ukraine’s needs for support in the context of Russia’s aggression and to further develop bilateral relations.
Part III. Humanitarian Assistance, Development Cooperation and Reconstruction
Humanitarian Assistance and Development Cooperation
- From the very beginning of the full-scale war, the Government of Albania took measures to support Ukrainians who were forced to flee the war. These measures include the provision of temporary protection to Ukrainians, provision of educational needs, health care services and treatment, and access to the labor market. Albania will continue to support the citizens of Ukraine until the end of the war. Albania will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as it has done since the first day of the Russian full-scale invasion, and will explore further possibilities to provide support to Ukraine, ranging from established projects to building new partnerships, including by attracting the private sector and institutions.
- To meet the immediate needs of the Ukrainian population, Albania will continue to provide humanitarian aid and civil protection support for the war-affected population, delivered through its trusted Albanian and international partners, along with in-kind assistance.
- In the field of development partnership, Albania will seek to strengthen the support underway for Ukraine, including in the areas of decentralisation, transport, energy, agriculture, water, critical infrastructure, housing and the health sectors.
- Recognizing that many members of Ukraine’s security and defence forces, along with their families, will continue to suffer from the impacts of injuries and illnesses resulting from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the Participants will expand cooperation in medical care by sharing expertise, standards, frameworks, and best practices for supporting veterans of war and their families. This includes facilitating their transition to civilian life and successful reintegration into the social and economic fabric of society. The cooperation will encompass mutual implementation of programs and services for veterans and their families, including physical, psychological and vocational rehabilitation, health care services and treatment, financial support, and commemoration initiatives to ensure comprehensive well-being.
Humanitarian Demining
- The Participants recognise the need to unite efforts aimed at protecting the Ukrainian population from the devastating consequences of mines. Demining and clearing Ukraine of explosive devices, victim assistance and mine risk education are the basis for reconstruction and development.
- Given the extraordinary scale of the challenge posed by the massive contamination of Ukrainian land by mines, ammunition and other explosive ordnance, Albania will provide support to humanitarian demining actions in Ukraine, including at sea, in cooperation with other partner countries. This support will include the explosive device clearance, assistance to victims, mine risk education, exchange of expertise and knowledge, provision of machinery and equipment, and support for the institutional capacity of government humanitarian demining units.
Recovery, Reconstruction, Sustainable Development
- Albania supports Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and its modernisation in particular in the areas of green transition, digitalization, telecommunications, energy efficiency, technical assistance, education and knowledge sharing, public financial management and central banking, waste processing, water treatment, restoration of natural environment, construction, planning and infrastructure, using innovative and gender sensitive based approaches.
- Ukraine and Albania acknowledge that the non-governmental actors will play a fundamental role in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. This includes the engagement of the private sector, civil society and local governments as drivers of ambitious processes.
- With this in mind, Ukraine and Albania will promote business-to-business and civil society approaches. Albania will use the economic and financial instruments at its disposal in cooperation with all relevant international organisations and partners.
- Albania will work together with Ukraine to encourage Albanian enterprises, foundations and institutions to actively participate in projects aimed at rebuilding the Ukrainian economy, as strengthening the private sector is one of the priorities of its recovery. The Participants will work together to strengthen cooperation between municipalities of Ukraine and Albania at the local government level, based on existing and future partnership agreements within the framework of reconstruction projects. Albania will take all necessary measures for the practical implementation of the Balkan quarter construction project.
- Albania recognises Kharkiv as a city of special interest within the framework of twinning relations between Tirana and Kharkiv, and will prioritize its support for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
- Ukraine recognises that the recovery process should be transparent and accountable to the people of Ukraine and to the international community.
Resilience of Critical Infrastructure
- The Participants intend to explore possibilities for enhancing resilience, restoration, and improving the protection of the critical infrastructure by sharing knowledge and best practices, and providing any possible equipment.
Culture, Art, and Cultural Heritage
- Albania, acknowledging the significance of culture and art for democratic societies and the preservation of Ukrainian identity and traditions, will continue to collaborate with Ukraine in supporting artists and cultural professionals.
- With a shared commitment to upholding freedom of expression as a fundamental European value, Albania endeavours to assist in restoring and strengthening cultural and artistic activities in Ukraine, pledging support to initiatives within UNESCO, the European Union, and the Council of Europe aimed at addressing the impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine on its cultural and creative sectors, and accompanying Ukraine in its recovery.
Part IV. Cooperation in the Event of Future Armed Attack or Significant Escalation
- In the event of future Russian armed attack against Ukraine or in the event of significant escalation of the current aggression, at the request of either Participant, the Participants will consult bilaterally or through other mutually acceptable channels within 24 hours to determine appropriate next steps.
- In those circumstances and acting within its means and capabilities, in accordance with its respective legal, constitutional requirements and with international rules and law, Albania would provide Ukraine, as appropriate, with swift and sustained political, security and defence, humanitarian and economic assistance; support agreement with international partners to impose economic and other costs on the Russian Federation and consult with Ukraine on its needs as it exercises its inherent right of individual self-defence enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.
- In order to ensure the widest and most effective collective response to future armed attack, the Participants may amend these provisions so as to align them with any mechanism that they may subsequently agree with other international partners, including the participants of the G7 Declaration.
Part V. Final Provisions
- The cooperation between the Participants within the framework of this Agreement will be implemented in accordance with the national laws, regulations and international obligations and standards.
- The Participants will, if necessary, designate authorised bodies for the development and implementation of bilateral agreements in accordance with the areas of cooperation specified in this Agreement.
- This Agreement may be amended and supplemented, including by adding annexes thereto, at any time through mutual written arrangement between the Participants.
- Any differences between the Participants arising from the interpretation and/or implementation of this Agreement will be settled amicably through negotiation or consultation between the Participants.
- This Agreement shall enter into effect on the date of receipt of the second notification by which the Participants shall inform each other, in writing through diplomatic channels, of the completion of their internal legal procedures required for its entry into force.
- This Agreement will remain in effect for a period of ten years.
- The Participants can jointly decide to extend this Agreement through notification no later than 6 (six) months prior to the lapse of the ten-year period.
- At the same time and in accordance with the G7 Declaration, the Participants share the opinion that this Agreement is without prejudice to Ukraine pursuing a pathway toward future membership in NATO.
- In the event that Ukraine becomes a member of NATO before the expiry of this Agreement, the Participants will decide on its future status.
- This Agreement may be terminated by either Participant by giving written notice to the other Participant. This Agreement will be terminated 6 (six) months from the date of receipt of such notice. The termination will not affect the implementation of ongoing activities or projects, which have been decided prior to the date of its termination, unless the Participants decide otherwise.
Signed in Davos on 21 January 2025 in duplicate in the Ukrainian, Albanian and English language, all texts being equally authentic. The English text shall prevail in the event of any discrepancy.
For Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President
For the Republic of Albania: Edi Rama, Prime Minister