ANKARA

Israel and Albania on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on military and defense cooperation.

The MoU was signed at the Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his Albanian counterpart Niko Peleshi, and it is the first of its kind between the two ministries.

Both ministers also held a meeting prior to signing the MoU, during which they "discussed bilateral defense cooperation and security issues of common interest," according to the Israel National News website.

The Albanian minister also voiced commitment to further strengthen diplomatic and security ties with Israel.

Israel and Albania established diplomatic relations in August 1991, with both countries opening embassies in respective capitals.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar