The Minister of Finance and Economy Delina Ibrahimaj, and the Switzerland’s Federal Councillor for Home Affairs, Health and Social Protection, Alain Berset, signed a social insurance framework agreement between the two countries during a meeting in Tirana.

Around 2,000 Albanian citizens will meet the legal conditions for receiving a pension in both countries once they reach the retirement age and they will lose not a single social contribution.

“The signing of the agreement confirms the will and commitment of the Albanian Government and the Swiss Confederation to deepen cooperation and advance the excellent relations between the two countries. Albanian citizens working and living in Switzerland have always encountered the problem of social insurance contributions over the years. Around 2,000 Albanians will benefit from the recognition of pension rights under this agreement. Previously, a period of payment of social insurance that was carried out in Albania, was not recognized if these people would start working in Switzerland,” Finance Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said.

The Finance and Economy Minister expressed gratitude to the government of Swiss Confederation for the cooperation and the assistance in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2019 and the assistance to various sectors of the country’s development. Ibrahimaj noted that Switzerland has donated $410 million to the Albanian state and that three projects funded by the Swiss Government are being implemented in the country.

On his part, the Federal Councillor Alain Berset said that “the agreement represents a very significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations and it will bring significant benefits to both countries.”