Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced Monday the signing of an expanded cooperation agreement between Israel and Albania, praising the country for its conduct toward Jews during the Holocaust.

“An important diplomatic visit to Albania, which began with a meeting with my colleague, the Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha, and the signing of an expanded cooperation agreement that will open up numerous business opportunities for Israeli and Albanian companies,” the Israeli foreign minister posted.

“We will always remember the rescue of Jews by Albanians during the Holocaust. Albania is a true friend of Israel, standing consistently by its side.”

Albania, the only Muslim-majority country in Europe, was also the only country in Europe to emerge from the Holocaust with more Jews living there than before the war. The resident Jewish population in Albania before the war was about 200, but it swelled to 1,800 to 3,000 by the war’s end due to an influx of refugees. Albanian leaders refused to deliver lists of Jews to the Nazis, and many Albanians, both Christian and Muslim, hid Jews in their own homes during the war.

Albania even had its own Oskar Schindler-like figure, a man by the name of Kadri Cakrani, who, as commandant of the Albanian city of Berat, single-handedly saved at least 600 Jews.

In welcoming Sa’ar to Albania, his counterpart referred to this remarkable history.

“It was a particular pleasure to welcome to Albania and meet with my counterpart, Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar,” Hoxha wrote on X.

“This year marks the 35th anniversary of Albania–Israel diplomatic relations, built on a profound and genuine friendship between our peoples, shared democratic values and mutual respect,” he said.

“The unique and inspiring story of Albanians who, at great personal risk, opened their homes and hearts and welcomed, sheltered, protected, and saved Jews during the Holocaust, guided by the enduring values of Besa [the Albanian code of honor and hospitality] and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, stands as a cornerstone of the deep friendship and partnership that unite Albania and Israel today,” he continued.

“Today, we reaffirmed our shared commitment, strong political will, and growing determination to further deepen our partnership. In this spirit, we signed the Albania-Israel Agreement on General Cooperation, an important milestone that opens new avenues for collaboration and elevates our bilateral relations to a new level,” he said, explaining that the expanded agreement will enhance cooperation across a large number of sectors, including security, technology and innovation, trade and investment, agriculture, culture, and education.

Hoxha said that the two leaders also discussed developments in the Middle East, global security issues, and the Western Balkans, as well as “reaffirming our shared commitment to stability, dialogue, and international cooperation” and Albania’s “unwavering” support of Israel’s security and combating terrorism.

Tourism from Israel to Albania has grown by nearly 1,000 percent, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, turning it into a destination hot spot for Israeli tourists, where Israelis can vacation without fear of speaking Hebrew in public and without fear of harassment.