Turkish State Minister Kursat Tuzmen visited Tirana in December 2006, meeting separately with Albanian President Alfred Moisiu and Prime Minister Soli Berisha to discuss bilateral economic ties and a pending telecommunications tender.
A central focus of the talks was Türkiye's interest in the Albanian telecom privatization process. Tuzmen confirmed he had personally asked both leaders to back a Turkish company's bid, and Berisha indicated that negotiations with Calik Holding over the Albtelekom tender were already underway, with a resolution expected soon.
Tuzmen expressed confidence in the two countries' economic trajectory, noting that Turkish firms are also pursuing a free-trade zone at the port of Durres.
Both Albanian officials welcomed the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations, with Moisiu saying it would lift commerce and cross-border investment. Berisha added that the pact's benefits could extend to broader regional trade. Moisiu also encouraged Turkish investors to consider Albania's coastal areas as tourism development opportunities.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in December 2006, in its own words.