State cooperation: from defense and cybersecurity to healthcare

2025-09-21 08:28:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Although Israel is also emerging with its first significant private investment projects, in the last decade, cooperation between the two countries has intensified, especially at the state level, with many agreements signed after 2015.

In March of this year, Israeli Minister of Health, Uriel Busso, and Albanian Minister of Health, Albana Koçiu, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance cooperation in the field of health and medicine.

The agreement includes cooperation between the countries' health ministries on developing medical projects, promoting digital innovation in healthcare, increasing emergency preparedness, sharing knowledge regarding mass casualty care and patients' rights, as well as mutual learning from their respective experiences in managing the coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the agreement, both parties have pledged to advance cooperation in medical research and the development of medical devices and technologies.

The aim is to foster links between healthcare institutions and business sectors in both countries, to boost trade and innovation in the healthcare sector.

Last year, the University Hospital Center signed a cooperation agreement with Sheba Medical Center, a hospital center from Israel specializing in the treatment of tumors.

The agreement aims to strengthen Oncology Services at "Mother Teresa" Hospital, through the formation of a joint working group with regular on-site visits and remote coordination, providing training at Sheba for Albanian leaders, doctors, nurses and technicians, including short-term programs and full scholarships, providing direct consultative support to "Mother Teresa" teams for the management of complex oncology cases, etc.

This year, the Albanian state-owned defense industry company, KAYO sh.a., signed an agreement with the Israeli military technology company, Elbit Systems Ltd, to re-establish the Aviation School in the city of Vlora, where military and civilian pilots will be trained.

This project will serve to increase the education and training capacities of pilots and air traffic controllers, guaranteeing sustainable support for the Armed Forces in the field of aviation. According to KAYO, the reopening of the Aviation Academy is expected to reduce training costs, guarantee independent certification and significantly increase national capacities in the field of defense and civil aviation.

Last year, the Tourism Ministers of Albania and Israel signed a joint declaration to increase support and cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism.

Since 2023, there has also been a memorandum of understanding between Albania and Israel on cybersecurity.

The cooperation envisaged by this Memorandum of Understanding includes the exchange of information on cybersecurity policies, procedures, incidents, documentation and best practices; human resource development; promotion of joint ventures with the cyber industry and academia to increase the level of cybersecurity at the national level; promotion and development of cooperation in the field of capacity building; etc.

Meanwhile, earlier, in the period 2015 - 2022, a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between public institutions of both countries, in areas such as investment promotion, taxes (avoidance of double taxation), health, security, education and science, etc./ Monitor.al