TIRANA, March 13 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha told the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs that Albanian authorities maintain constant contact with citizens in the Middle East. He reported that 17 citizens have been evacuated so far.

Hoxha said recent developments in the region affected Albania politically and on humanitarian grounds. He noted that many Albanian citizens live and work in countries affected by the crisis.

According to the minister, the ministry set up a special task group at the start of the crisis. The group coordinated with Albanian diplomatic missions and monitored developments while contacting citizens directly.

He reported that 2,962 Albanian citizens hold permanent residence in the region and 543 hold temporary status. Diplomatic missions contacted 2,511 citizens, while 138 requested assistance to leave. Authorities planned individual departures for 45 citizens. Meanwhile, partner countries helped evacuate 17 others.

Hoxha said Albania has kept all diplomatic missions in the region open despite the deteriorating security situation. Diplomatic staff contacted citizens, organized voluntary registration, and coordinated evacuation options with local authorities and international partners.

However, the minister noted that authorities face greater difficulty assisting Albanian citizens in Iran because Albania has no diplomatic mission there. He added that officials contacted the Red Cross in Albania and the Red Crescent in Iran to explore possible assistance.

/a.p./