Netanyahu meets Albanian PM in Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, in Jerusalem.

The two men sign “a joint declaration of friendship to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a medical research cooperation agreement between hospitals and an agreement on the employment of diplomats’ spouses,” according to a press release from the Government Press Office.

The press release says Rama expressed interest in further cooperation with Israel “in security, cyber, water, energy and innovation.”

In his comments to the press before the meeting, Netanyahu recalls the fact that Albania protected its Jews during the Holocaust.

“We know that he people of Albania are not merely good friends today of the people of Israel but in the crucial period of the Holocaust they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish people persecuted in Europe,” he says.

“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,” Netanyahu adds.

“We never forget our friends, and we appreciate that display of humanity, civility and courage in our darkest hours.”