Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Tirana next week, according to sources from Oculus News Albania. The visit is set to be brief, lasting only one day, before Erdogan departs for Serbia the following day. His trip to Albania is expected to take place on October 10, with his arrival in Belgrade planned for October 11.
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| Erdogan and Rama in the midst of cutting the ribbon for the inauguration of the Et'hem Bey Mosque in Tirana, January 17, 2022 |
However, the visit comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, which could lead to last-minute changes in Erdogan’s agenda. Israel has initiated a ground incursion into Lebanon, and last night, Iran launched a rocket strike, further intensifying regional conflict. This developing situation may force Erdogan to adjust his travel plans accordingly.
Erdogan’s return to Tirana marks his first visit to Albania in over two years, with his last trip occurring in early 2022, when he inaugurated the restoration of the historic Et’hem Bey Mosque in the Albanian capital.
This visit could carry significant geopolitical weight, as Turkey's alignment with Lebanon and Albania's support for Israel puts the two countries on different sides of the Middle Eastern conflict. Erdogan's presence in Tirana might be influenced by these geopolitical dynamics, as he seeks to navigate Turkey’s role in a rapidly changing regional landscape.