On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Albania for his first official visit.

He was greeted with military honors by Prime Minister Edi Rama outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Tirana, just one day before the major EPC Summit, which is expected to be attended by more than 40 European heads of state and government.

During the ceremony, Edi Rama said that this trip “comes at a special moment – it not only marks the beginning of a new phase of strategic cooperation, but is also the first time a British Prime Minister has officially visited Albania.” This assessment was published by the Prime Minister’s office on the government website kryeministria.al.

The two heads of government then withdrew for confidential talks. Although no official details of the talks were given, Albanian government officials said that the focus was on migration issues, regional security and economic cooperation, among other things.

The partnership between London and Tirana has visibly deepened in recent years. A particular focus is on joint action against organized crime and irregular migration. The British Home Office concluded a readmission agreement with Albania in 2022. According to a report by the UK Home Office in 2023, this agreement led to a significant decline in the number of Albanian migrants attempting to enter the UK via the English Channel.

Prime Minister Starmer also emphasized this development. As a spokesperson told the British daily newspaper The Guardian on May 14, the British-Albanian relationship is “evolving into a genuine partnership—underpinned by mutual respect, shared security interests, and a commitment to actively shaping prosperity in Europe.”

A joint press conference by Starmer and Rama is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Observers expect not only a summary of the bilateral talks, but also key messages regarding the EPC summit, which will further advance Albania diplomatically into the center of Europe.

The meeting of the European Political Community in Tirana – the second of its kind – is dedicated to current challenges such as geopolitical stability, energy security, and digital transformation. The fact that Albania is hosting the meeting is seen not only by Rama as a diplomatic milestone, but also as a sign of the country’s strengthened international role.

While details of the full itinerary of Starmer’s visit, including the press conference, remain under wraps, one thing is already clear: political relations between the UK and Albania are entering a new, closer phase with a clear focus on security, economic cooperation, and European responsibility.