UPDATE ADDS MORE DETAILS WITH TURKISH FIRST LADY EMINE ERDOGAN'S MEETING WITH ARMANDA BEGAY, WIFE OF ALBANIAN PRESIDENT BAYRAM BEGAY
By Zafer Fatih Beyaz
TIRANA, Albania (AA) - Türkiye’s first lady Emine Erdogan met her Albanian counterpart Linda Rama in the Albanian capital Tirana on Thursday.
Accompanying the Turkish president during his official visit to Albania, Erdogan was hosted by Rama at Villa 30, the state residence.
In a closed-door meeting, Rama thanked Erdogan for inviting her to the exhibition and fashion show, Bridal Treasures: A Journey Through Ottoman and Anatolian Dowries, which was held at the Turkish House in New York, and expressed her admiration for the program.
Erdogan hosted the event in September during her visit to New York for the 79th UN General Assembly.
Rama and Erdogan talked about the shared cultural values between Albania and Türkiye.
Rama showed her Turkish counterpart around Villa 30, providing information about its history.
Following their meeting, Erdogan said on X that they discussed topics that will further strengthen the historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
"We share a belief that mutual visits will deepen the relations between our nations," she added.
Erdogan also met with Armanda Begay, the wife of Albanian President Bayram Begay.
During the meeting, the Volunteer Ambassadors project, and the importance of foster families were also discussed.
In 2012, Emine Erdogan launched the Volunteer Ambassadors Project aimed at ensuring that every child in Türkiye without family care is provided with a loving home.
Stressing that they had a "fruitful" meeting, Erdogan said on X: "We exchanged views on many issues, including environment, health and education. We discussed the steps taken by Türkiye in the field of foster care."
Noting that she shared with Begay the globalization of the Volunteer Ambassadors Project, Erdogan thanked Begay for "her sincere hospitality."
Erdogan also expressed hope that the friendship between the two countries would last forever.
*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli and Serdar Dincel in Istanbul