Their frequent tete-à-tete meetings are widely mediatized in Albania and“both leaders have spent significant efforts and energy conserving the emotional aspect of this relation” 4F 5 . Secondly, Turkey actively provided support to Albania after the earthquake of November 2019 and was the first country that the Albanian government reached out to during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Albania’s Prime Minister declared at that time that his government had put a list of requests to tackle the effects of coronavirus on Turkey’s table, 5F 6 and a year later it was again a Turkish company that managed to provide Albania with more than 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccines to handle the situation. Thirdly, Turkey has increased its presence in Albania’s business sector in the past 8 years. Its undertakings are investments in strategic segments, such as the co-participation in the establishment of Albania’s flag carrier AirAlbania, or the construction of Vlora Airport (later cancelled). Finally, in the public discourse, Turkey is often mentioned as a NATO partner of Albania, although in practice the current dynamics within the NATO framework are not the same as a decade or so ago. What is the influence of Turkey on our country's security? 60 52.1 48.79 50 40 30 25.8 30.22 20 12.02 10 0 Very positive Positive 16.4 6.1 4.9 Neutral 2019 Negative 2020 0.45 0.3 Very negative 2.42 0.5 Don’t know Graph 5: Perception of Turkey’s influence. In terms of security provision, Turkey has provided considerable technical and financial assistance to the Albanian military forces. NATO is perceived in very positive terms by 5 Gentiola Madhi,"Our brother Erdogan" – From official to personal relations of political leaders of Albania and Kosovo with the Turkish President", Western Balkans at the Crossroads , Prague Security Studies Institutes, February 2021. Accessible at: https://6e7a0e8d-d938-46ff­832d-a1d2166bc3a6.filesusr.com/ugd/2fb84c_e0f33c388d464582a006d771df96c3d3.pdf 6 Balkanweb.com,“Ne rast se do te permbyset bota… Rama: Kam folur me Erdoganin, kemi ndihmen e garantuar”, March 19, 2020. Accessible at: https://www.balkanweb.com/ne-rast-se-do-te-permbyset-bota-rama-kam-folur-me-erdoganin-kemi-ndihmen-e­garantuar/ 12