According to the report, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hefzi, Saudi Ambassador to the Republic of Albania, explained that the launch of the conference of Saudi university graduates from Balkan countries, which will be held by Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Umm Al-Qura University and the Islamic University of Medina from July 6 in the capital Tirana, reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to establishing contacts with graduates of its universities from different countries, honoring their scientific and intellectual achievements, and strengthening the Kingdom’s scientific and cultural presence at the global level.
He thanked the Saudi universities for their significant efforts in preparing for this conference and pointed to the constructive cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Education and its attention to these educational and cultural initiatives, which reflect the depth of friendly relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Hefzi emphasized that this conference, which will last for three days, is a platform to strengthen scientific and cultural partnerships between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Balkan countries and will help increase mutual understanding and communication between nations.
Saudi Arabia has tried for years to influence the policies of this region by investing in mosques in the Balkans, which is considered a sphere of influence of Turkey. However, it is necessary to reflect on why this conference was held in Albania. Because Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a Muslim and war-torn country, could have been a more suitable option. However, the choice of Albania by the Saudi government reflects the country’s efforts to create political centrality in this small country in the Balkans, which is home to the MKO group. Traces of the support for terrorism by the MKO can be seen in such conferences and the creation of credit for countries that host terrorism.
