Foreign relations of Albania

The foreign relations of Albania are its relations with other governments and peoples. Foreign relations are conducted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tirana. The current minister is Igli Hasani . The current ambassador to the United Nations is Ferit Hoxha.

Albania is a sovereign country in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean that declared its independence on 28 November 1912. Its foreign policy has maintained a policy of complementerianism by trying to have friendly relations with all countries. Since the collapse of Communism in 1990, Albania has extended its responsibilities and position in European and international affairs, supporting and establishing friendly relations with other nations around the world.

The main factors defining Albanian foreign policy consist of geopolitical location, population, economic crisis, and ties with Albanian diaspora throughout the world. It also maintains strong diplomatic relations with the EU (primarily Croatia, France, Germany, Italy) Balkan countries (primarily Kosovo, Greece and North Macedonia), Arab world, Canada, China, Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, UK and the United States.

The main objectives of the Albanian foreign policy are the accession of Albania to the European Union, the international recognition of Kosovo, the recognition of expulsion of Cham Albanians,^[1] helping and protecting the rights of Albanians in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, Serbia, Italy, and the Albanian diaspora.

Albania was voted to become a member of the 15-country United Nations Security Council for a two-year term, 2022–23.

Overview

The government of Albania was concerned with the developments in neighboring Kosovo, particularly in the post-Dayton agreement period. During the Kosovo War in 1999 as well as the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians by Serbs alongside the subsequent refugee influx into the country, Albania's status as an ally of the United States was confirmed.^[2] Albania emerged as being generally supportive of the United States.^[2] The support for the United States has remained high at 95% in Muslim majority (56% of the population) Albania in contrast to the rest of the Islamic world.^[2]

Balkans/Albania

Turkey

During the post-cold war, geo-political complexities and conflicts in the Balkans, made Albania seek a protector power with Turkey, which is a NATO member.^[3] During the 1990s, state relations between Albania and Turkey were marked by high level visits, military agreements and the deployment of Turkish soldiers.^[4][3][5] An Albanian-Turkish military cooperation agreement was signed on 29 July 1992.^[4][3] The military agreement entailed education and training of personnel, bilateral cooperation in weapons production, joint military exercises, the exchange of military delegations and joint commissions on expanding further military ties into the future.^[3] The agreement also encompassed rebuilding Albania's Pasha Liman Base in the Bay of Vlorë on the Ionian Sea by Turkey, in return for granting Turkey's access and use.^[6][5] Turkey has trained the Albanian Armed Forces, in particular officers and commando units.^[4][6][5] During civil war in 1997, Turkey alongside other countries, participated in Operation Alba by providing a brigade of 800 Turkish troops to restore order and its involvement served mainly as a stabilising force.^[4][7]

Turkey considers its friendship with Albania as important due to the context of state relations with Greece and through policy have exploited difficulties arising in Albanian-Greek relations.^[8][9] Having a powerful ally in Turkey has suited Albania at times regarding difficult interstate relations with Greece.^[10] Albania's emergence in the Balkans as a key NATO partner contributed to good and stronger Albanian-Turkish relations, in particular relating to military matters.^[11] The military alliance during the 1990s between Turkey and Albania was also aimed against Serbia in case a war over Kosovo had a wider regional spread.^[12] Greece has expressed concerns regarding Turkish relations with Albania and interpreted them as an anti-Greek measure to isolate Greece within the wider context of Albania being a potential outlet for expanding Muslim influence and Turkey allying with Muslim populations in the Balkans.^[3][13][14] Turkey on the other hand claimed Greece increased tensions within the region and conveyed concerns relating to Albanian and Greek polemics with Ankara expressing a partial bias on Albania's side angering the Greeks.^[15] Greece, aware of Albanian-Turkish military agreements denounced Turkey's interference in Greek affairs.^[15] Though not officially considered in Turkey as a rival within Albania, during the unrest of 1997 Greece was able to become an influential actor in Albania and the early period of the Kosovo crisis (1998-1999) when Albanian officials looked to Greece for assistance.^[16] The resumption of closer Albanian-Turkish relations ensured during the Kosovo crisis that made both countries act along the same policy lines toward Slobodan Milošević and the issue of Greater Serbia.^[17]

Turkey supported Albania's membership to become part of NATO.^[4] Military cooperation between Albania and Turkey is viewed by NATO as a stabilising factor within the volatile region of the Balkans.^[18] Albania has come to depend heavily on Turkish assistance and a high amount of military security.^[3] Turkey remains for Albania an important military ally alongside the U.S.^[19] Through its military personnel Turkey continues to train Albanian armed forces and also to provide assistance in logistics and modernisation efforts of the Albanian military.^[20][21] Radar systems for the surveillance of Albanian airspace in addition to telecommunication equipment have been supplied by Turkey to Albania.^[22] Albania receives Turkish assistance for police training.^[17] Turkey has continuously supported Albania from the 1990s on EU related matters as both countries view EU membership as an eventual final goal and common objective.^[23] State relations of Albania with Turkey are friendly and close, due to maintenance of close links with the Albanian diaspora in Turkey and strong Turkish sociopolitical, cultural, economic and military ties with Albania.^{[24][25][26][27][28][29][4]} Turkey has been supportive of Albanian geopolitical interests within the Balkans.^[28][4][30] In Gallup polls conducted in recent times Turkey is viewed as a friendly country by 73% of people in Albania.^[31] Albania has established political and economic ties with Arab countries, in particular with Arab Persian Gulf states who have heavily invested in religious, transport and other infrastructure alongside other facets of the economy in addition to the somewhat limited societal links they share.^[32] Albania is also working to develop social-political and economic ties with Israel.^[33]

Greece

After the fall of the Albanian communist regime in 1991, relations between Greece and Albania became increasingly strained because of widespread allegations of mistreatment by Albanian authorities of the Greek ethnic minority in southern Albania and of mistreatment the Albanian communities in northern Greece. A wave of Albanian illegal economic migrants to Greece exacerbated tensions. The crisis in Greek–Albanian relations reached its peak in late August 1994, when an Albanian court sentenced five members (a sixth member was added later) of the ethnic Greek political party Omonia to prison terms on charges of undermining the Albanian state. Greece responded by freezing all EU aid to Albania, and sealing its border with Albania. In December 1994, however, Greece began to permit limited EU aid to Albania, while Albania released two of the Omonia defendants and reduced the sentences of the remaining four. ^{[citation needed]}

There are still other impending issues in the relations between the two countries, regarding many Albanian workers in Greece who have not received legal papers despite promises by the Greek government. In 1996, the two countries signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship and discussed the issues of the status of Albanian refugees in Greece and education in the mother tongue for the ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania. In the 1990s, Greece preferred and assisted Fatos Nano as Albanian leader due to him being Orthodox over Sali Berisha a Muslim, as Nano was seen as being friendlier to Greek interests.^[34] The government of Fatos Nano was viewed by Turkey as having a pro-Greek orientation and expressed some dissatisfaction though during that time still maintained close military relations with Albania in rebuilding its armed forces and a military base.^[19]

Today, as result of very frequent high-level contacts between the governments and the parliaments, relations between the two countries are regarded as excellent. Greece is a staunch supporter of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Albania. Since Albania's NATO entry in May 2009, Albanian-Greek relations have been developing on all fronts, and especially after the election victory of Edi Rama in 2013,^[35] with the Albanian Chief of Foreign Policy, Ralf Gjoni, describing the diplomatic relations between two countries as "excellent". Greece today is Albania's most important European Union ally and NATO partner.^[36] At the Albanian government's request, about 250 Greek military personnel are stationed in Albania to assist with the training and restructuring of the Albanian Armed Forces, as part of the NATO programme. Big projects currently in running between the two countries include the touristic development of the Ionian coastline shared between the two countries, and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which helped boosting the relations of the two countries even further.

Albania's ties with Greece are also based on cultural and historic relations of the two peoples, including migration and national minorities. In addition, since Albania's transition to democracy, Greece has become a major financial partner of the country with Albania's economy being heavily reliant on investments from Greece. Culturally, the two nations' populations, whilst having a tense history, share numerous cultural and historic traits that have been used to boost the political relations of the neighbouring countries.

There had been numerous discussions, research and attempts by Albanians and Greeks to form a confederation during the Ottoman period.^[37] In the 19th century there were plans to create a Greek-Albanian confederation, which was revived from the earlier 18th century plans. In 1907 a special protocol and memorandum of understanding was signed by Neoklis Kazazis and Ismail Qemali, the first prime minister of Albania. Furthermore, Arvanite author Aristides Kollias in his book "The proclamation of the Association of Arvanites" states "from 1881 to 1907 we have sustained efforts and repeated consultations between Greeks and Albanians to create a Greek-Albanian state." In addition, Thanos Paleologos-Anagnostopoulos in his book "Greece and Albania in the early 20th century (1995)" stated that Ismail Qemali, a philhellene, worked with numerous Greek politicians and lobbyists, including Arvanite leaders, on a possible Greek-Albanian federation, one that "maintains national and religious independence of the two peoples."^[38] Likewise, Neoklis Kazazis saw this as a way of Greece quashing Italian influence in the region.^[39]

International

Foreign Minister Igli Hasani.

Albania was voted to become a member of the 15-country UN Security Council for a two-year term, in 2022–23, on 11 June 2021.^[40] Former ambassador Kadare said that Albania's priorities in the Security Council will include a focus on women, peace, and security, promoting human rights and international law, preventing conflicts, protecting civilians, countering violent extremism, addressing climate change and its links to security, and strengthening multilateralism and the rules-based international order.^[40] She tweeted thanks to all countries that: "entrusted us with this huge responsibility".^[40]

Disputes

See also: United Nations Security Council Resolution 22 and Politics of Kosovo

Former ambassador to the United Nations Besiana Kadare

The Albanian government supports the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside of its borders but has downplayed them to further its primary foreign policy goal of regional cooperation; Albanian majority in Kosovo seeks full recognition of the declared independence from Serbia; Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia claim discrimination in education, access to public-sector jobs, and representation in government.^{[citation needed]} A handful of Albanian troops have participated in the U.S.-led military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.^[41] Albanian policy is very favorable to that of the United States and European Union.

The $30 million Albanian-American Enterprise Fund (AAEF), launched in 1994, is actively making debt and equity investments in local businesses.^[42] AAEF is designed to harness private sector efforts to assist in the economic transformation. U.S. assistance priorities include promotion of agricultural development and a market economy, advancement of democratic institutions (including police training), and improvements in quality of life.

List of countries

List of countries which Albania maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date
1	Romania	28 December 1913[43]
2	Italy	21 February 1914[44]
3	Serbia	25 April 1914[45]
4	Bulgaria	April 1914[46]
5	United Kingdom	9 November 1921[47]
6	Austria	18 February 1922[48]
7	Japan	18 April 1922[49]
8	Hungary	23 May 1922[50]
9	France	16 June 1922[51]
10	Czech Republic	5 July 1922[52]
11	United States	4 December 1922[53]
12	Greece	4 January 1923[54]
13	Turkey	15 December 1923[55]
14	Russia	4 July 1924[56]
15	Poland	7 April 1937[57]
16	North Korea	29 November 1948[58]
17	Mongolia	24 March 1949[59]
18	China	23 November 1949[60]
19	Vietnam	11 February 1950[61]
20	Egypt	14 March 1956[62]
21	India	3 March 1956[63]
22	Finland	8 June 1956[64]
23	Sudan	February 1957[65]
24	Ethiopia	26 June 1958[66]
25	Iraq	14 August 1958[67]
26	Guinea	October 1958[65]
27	Somalia	September 1960[68]
28	Cuba	15 December 1960[69]
29	Brazil	4 April 1961[70]
30	Ghana	August 1961[65]
31	Morocco	11 February 1962[71]
32	Algeria	12 February 1963[72]
33	Mali	9 February 1965[73][74]
34	Pakistan	July 1965[65]
35	Indonesia	18 August 1965[75]
36	Mauritania	September 1965[65]
37	Tanzania	May 1966[65]
38	Cambodia	24 June 1967[76]
39	Republic of the Congo	23 June 1968[77]
40	Kuwait	8 August 1968[78]
41	Sweden	20 June 1969[79]
42	Zambia	9 July 1969[80]
43	Libya	6 May 1970[81]
44	Central African Republic	23 May 1970[82]
45	Denmark	29 May 1970[83]
46	Switzerland	20 July 1970[84]
47	Belgium	13 November 1970[85]
48	Netherlands	17 November 1970[86]
—	Iran (severed)	24 May 1971[87]
49	Norway	29 May 1971[88]
50	Chile	10 September 1971[89]
51	Peru	6 December 1971[90]
52	Luxembourg	15 April 1972[91]
53	Equatorial Guinea	30 November 1972[92][93]
54	Nepal	23 May 1972[94]
55	Costa Rica	20 February 1973[95]
56	Malta	5 March 1973[96]
57	Senegal	26 April 1973[96]
58	Nigeria	22 May 1973[97]
59	Cameroon	20 August 1973[98]
60	Argentina	4 October 1973[99]
61	Tunisia	8 October 1973[96]
62	Burundi	7 November 1973[100][101]
63	New Zealand	1973[100]
64	Lebanon	28 May 1974[92]
65	Benin	4 October 1974[102]
66	Mexico	15 October 1974[103]
67	Guinea-Bissau	15 November 1974[104]
68	Gabon	16 November 1974[105]
69	Laos	18 June 1975[106]
70	Mozambique	25 June 1975[107]
71	Venezuela	14 October 1975[108]
72	Iceland	9 April 1976[109]
73	Madagascar	28 April 1976[110]
74	San Marino	21 June 1976[111]
75	Sierra Leone	23 August 1976[112]
76	Myanmar	15 December 1976[113]
77	Burkina Faso	15 January 1977[114]
78	Portugal	21 June 1977[115]
79	Togo	25 June 1977[116][117]
80	Bangladesh	10 August 1977[118]
81	Mauritius	October 1977[119]
82	Syria	May 1978[120]
83	Yemen	May 1978[120]
84	Panama	20 August 1978[121]
85	São Tomé and Príncipe	20 November 1979[122]
86	Nicaragua	November 1979[123]
87	Colombia	5 December 1979[124]
88	Ecuador	31 January 1980[125]
89	Sri Lanka	4 March 1980[126]
90	Djibouti	2 April 1980[127]
91	Seychelles	16 May 1980[128]
92	Zimbabwe	May 1980[129]
93	Niger	18 June 1980[130]
94	Cape Verde	6 August 1980[131]
95	Malaysia	24 June 1981[132]
96	Botswana	30 August 1982[133]
97	Thailand	30 September 1982[134]
98	Kenya	2 February 1983[135]
99	Barbados	19 May 1983[136]
100	Australia	16 September 1984[137]
101	Ivory Coast	9 January 1985[138]
102	Guyana	1 May 1985[139]
103	Malawi	12 July 1985[140]
104	Spain	12 September 1986[141]
105	Singapore	20 November 1986[142]
106	Jordan	18 May 1987[143]
107	Philippines	11 June 1987[144]
108	Bolivia	21 August 1987[145]
109	Canada	10 September 1987[146]
110	Germany	2 October 1987[147]
111	Uruguay	18 October 1987[148]
112	Angola	17 August 1988[149]
—	State of Palestine	26 October 1989[150]
113	Namibia	2 August 1990[151]
114	Israel	19 August 1991[152]
115	South Korea	22 August 1991[153]
116	Papua New Guinea	28 August 1991[154]
117	Cyprus	29 August 1991[155]
—	Holy See	7 September 1991[156]
118	Kyrgyzstan	4 January 1992[157]
119	Estonia	17 January 1992[158]
120	Slovenia	10 March 1992[159][160]
121	Lithuania	27 April 1992[158]
122	Latvia	29 April 1992[158]
123	United Arab Emirates	1 June 1992[161]
124	Paraguay	29 July 1992[155]
125	Croatia	25 August 1992[162]
126	Qatar	26 August 1992[163]
127	Saudi Arabia	2 December 1992[164]
128	Oman	7 December 1992[165]
129	Moldova	23 December 1992[166]
130	Bosnia and Herzegovina	28 December 1992[167]
131	Slovakia	1 January 1993[158]
132	Ukraine	13 January 1993[155]
133	Guatemala	29 January 1993[155]
134	Armenia	18 February 1993[168]
135	Liechtenstein	23 April 1993[169]
136	Bahrain	10 May 1993[170]
137	Belarus	17 May 1993[171]
138	Georgia	8 July 1993[172]
139	Kazakhstan	21 September 1993[173]
140	Azerbaijan	23 September 1993[174]
141	Uzbekistan	23 November 1993[175]
142	Tajikistan	22 December 1993[176]
143	North Macedonia	24 December 1993[177]
144	South Africa	December 1993[178]
145	Brunei	27 January 1994[179]
146	Turkmenistan	24 March 1994[180]
—	Sovereign Order of Malta	14 July 1994[181]
147	Ireland	January 1995[182]
148	Andorra	15 February 1996[183]
149	Jamaica	3 April 1996[155]
150	Dominican Republic	27 May 2002[184]
151	El Salvador	22 May 2003[185]
152	Montenegro	1 August 2006[186]
153	Afghanistan	16 August 2006[187]
—	Kosovo	18 February 2008[188]
154	Maldives	25 June 2008[189]
155	Samoa	1 August 2008[155]
156	Fiji	23 June 2010[190]
157	Honduras	2 September 2010[191]
158	Saint Lucia	14 July 2010[155]
159	Nauru	20 April 2011[155]
160	Solomon Islands	19 May 2011[192]
161	Tuvalu	1 June 2011[155]
162	Monaco	24 November 2011[193]
163	Trinidad and Tobago	13 May 2014[155]
164	Saint Kitts and Nevis	31 October 2018[194]

In 2008 and 2009, the Albanian Parliament ordered the Foreign Ministry to establish diplomatic relations with countries which Albania did not maintain diplomatic relations with, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, East Timor, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Rwanda, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda and Vanuatu.^[195]

Diplomatic relations were suspended with Iran on 7 September 2022.^[196]

Organizations

Albania maintains very good relations with the European Union, since 2014 is an official candidate.

Albania is member in these international organizations:^[197]

AC, APF, BIE, BSEC, CEB, CoBx, CoE, CERN (Non-Member State), CEI, CCC, CEFTA, ECE, EAPC, EBRD, EITI, ECAA, ECAC, EC, ENTSO-E, Eurocontrol, FAO, FIUs, IAEA, IAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICC, ICRC, ICRM, ICCROM, IDA, IDB, IHO, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, IOM, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, OAS, OB, OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, OTIF, PCA, SEECP, SECI, SETC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNDSS, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNW, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, UfM, VC, WB, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO and WTO.

Diplomatic relations

Africa

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Algeria	1963[198]	Algeria has a diplomatic office in Tirana. Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Egypt	1958[198]	See Albania–Egypt relations The father of the modern Egypt Muhammad Ali of Egypt was Albanian commander in the Ottoman army. Albanian Muhammad Ali dynasty reigned in Egypt from 1805 to 1952. Albania has an embassy in Cairo.[199] Egypt has an embassy in Tirana.[200] Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Libya	1970[198]	See Albania–Libya relations Albania was one of the first countries to recognize the National Transitional Council on 18 July 2011 as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.[201][202][203] Libya has an embassy in Tirana.
Tunisia	1973[198]	Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[204] Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Morocco	1962[205]	Since the start of diplomatic relations, both countries have shown a willingness to collaborate, particularly in the field of trade. In January 2005, Albania revoked its 'de facto' recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in favor of Morocco.[205] Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

Americas

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina	1973[198]	Albania is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Brasília, Brazil. Argentina is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
Brazil	1974 [198]	See Albania–Brazil relations Albania has an embassy in Brasília. Brazil has an embassy in Tirana.
Canada	10 September 1987[206]	See Albania–Canada relations Albania has an embassy in Ottawa. Canada is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Rome, Italy and has an honorary consulate in Tirana.
Cuba	1980[198]	In September 1964, Cuba and Albania signed a pact for scientific cooperation.[207] Albania is accredited to Cuba from its UN ambassador Besiana Kadare in New York. Cuba is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[208]
Mexico	15 October 1974[198]	See Albania–Mexico relations Mexico recognized and established diplomatic relations with Albania on 15 October 1974. Shortly thereafter Mexico opened a resident embassy in Tirana, however the embassy was closed in 1979.[209] Albania is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., USA.[210] Mexico is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Rome, Italy and maintains an honorary consulate in Tirana.[211]
United States	1922[212]	See Albania–United States relations Albania has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and a consulate general in New York City. United States has an embassy in Tirana.

Asia

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	18 February 1993	Albania is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Athens, Greece. Armenia is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece and has an honorary consulate in Tirana.[213][214]
Azerbaijan	23 September 1992	See Albania–Azerbaijan relations Albania is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Azerbaijan is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece. Both countries are members of OIC and of Council of Europe.
China	23 November 1949	See Albania–China relations People's Socialist Republic of Albania under Enver Hoxha, moved an annual resolution in the General Assembly to transfer China's seat at the United Nations from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of China. On 25 October 1971, Resolution 2758, sponsored by Albania, was passed by the General Assembly, withdrawing recognition of the ROC as the legitimate government of China, and recognizing the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China. Albania was the first country to recognize the People's Republic China. Albania and People's Republic China established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1949.[60] Albania has an embassy in Beijing. People's Republic China has an embassy in Tirana. China–Albania Friendship Association Sino-Albanian split
Cyprus	28 August 1991[215]	Albania is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Athens, Greece[216] and an honorary consulate in Larnaca.[217] Cyprus is represented in Albania by its embassy in Athens, Greece[218][219] and an honorary consulate in Tirana.[220] Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[215]
Egypt	1958[198]	See Albania–Egypt relations The father of the modern Egypt Muhammad Ali of Egypt was Albanian commander in the Ottoman army. Albanian Muhammad Ali dynasty reigned in Egypt from 1805 to 1952. Albania has an embassy in Cairo.[199] Egypt has an embassy in Tirana.[200] Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Georgia	8 July 1993[221]	See Albania–Georgia relations Albania is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Georgia is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
India	1956[222]	See Albania–India relations Albania has an embassy in New Delhi. Mother Teresa, one of India's national symbols, was of Albanian origin.
Iran	1971[198]Diplomatic Severed 16 September 2022	See Albania–Iran relations Iran has an embassy in Tirana.
Israel	20 August 1991[223]	See Albania–Israel relations Albania has an embassy in Tel Aviv. Israel has an embassy in Tirana.[224][225] Albania recognized the State of Israel on 16 April 1949 by a telegram of Prime Minister of Albania Enver Hoxha. History of the Jews in Albania The Holocaust in Albania
Japan	April 1922 re-established in March 1981	See Albania–Japan relations Albania and Japan resumed established diplomatic relations in March 1981.[226] Albania has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Tirana.
Kuwait	1968[198]	Albania has an embassy in Kuwait City. Kuwait has an embassy in Tirana.
Malaysia	1981[198]	Albania has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Mongolia	24 May 1949[227]	Albania is accredited to Mongolia from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
Nepal	23 May 1972	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 May 1972.[228]
North Korea	29 November 1948[citation needed]	See also: Albania–North Korea relations
Pakistan	1965	In December 2006, Albanian deputy foreign minister Anton Gurakqui visited Pakistan to hold bilateral consultation with Pakistani political leadership. Pakistan also offers training facilities to young Albanian bureaucrats in the field of banking, finance, management and diplomacy.[229]
Palestine	1990	See Albania–Palestine relations Albania had previously recognized the State of Palestine as a state since 1988. Palestine has an embassy in Tirana.
Qatar	1992	Albania has an embassy in Doha. Qatar has an embassy in Tirana.
Russia	7 April 1924	See Albania–Russia relations Albania has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Tirana. Albania-Soviet Union relations.
Saudi Arabia	1992	Albania has an embassy in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Tirana.
South Korea	22 August 1991[153]	See Albania–South Korea relations Albania has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Tirana. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-moon and minister of foreign affairs, Besnik Mustafaj signed the Convention between South Korea and Albania for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion on 17 May 2006.[230] The number of the South Korean citizens living in Albania, in 2020 was about 102.[231]
Turkey	1981	See Albania-Turkey relations Albania has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Tirana. Both countries are full members of NATO.
United Arab Emirates	1992	Albania has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. UAE is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece.

Europe

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	18 February 1993	Albania is accredited to Armenia from its embassy in Athens, Greece. Armenia is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece and has an honorary consulate in Tirana.[213][214]
Austria	1912	See Albania–Austria relations Austria-Hungary supported the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. Albania has an embassy in Vienna. Austria has an embassy in Tirana.
Azerbaijan	23 September 1992	See Albania–Azerbaijan relations Albania is accredited to Azerbaijan from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Azerbaijan is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece. Both countries are members of OIC and of Council of Europe.
Belgium		See Albania–Belgium relations Albania has an embassy in Brussels. Belgium has an embassy in Tirana.
Bulgaria	1922	See Albania–Bulgaria relations Albania has an embassy in Sofia and a consulate in Plovdiv.[232] Bulgaria has an embassy in Tirana and a consulate in Vlorë.[232] The territory of modern Albania was part of the Bulgarian Empire during certain periods in the Middle Ages and some parts in what is now eastern Albania were populated and ruled by the Bulgarians for centuries. Albanians in Bulgaria. Bulgarians in Albania. Albania is an EU candidate and Bulgaria is a member. Both countries are full members of NATO.
Croatia	25 August 1992	See Albania–Croatia relations Albania has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Tirana. Albania had recognized Croatia on 21 January 1992. Albania and Croatia established diplomatic relations on 25 August 1992.[233] In April 2009, both countries became full members of NATO at an event which both Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha and Croatian prime minister Ivo Sanader attended. Also that year, the two countries decided to build a joint Nuclear Power Plant on the Albanian border with Montenegro. The two have a history of defense pacts, and overall there is a good relationship. Arbanasi is a community in the Zadar region, Croatia, of Albanian origin, who traditionally speak a dialect of Gheg Albanian.
Cyprus	28 August 1991[215]	Albania is represented in Cyprus by its embassy in Athens, Greece[216] and an honorary consulate in Larnaca.[217] Cyprus is represented in Albania by its embassy in Athens, Greece[218][219] and an honorary consulate in Tirana.[220] Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[215]
Czech Republic		See Albania–Czech Republic relations The multi-national Communist armed forces' sole joint action was the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. All member countries, with the exception of the People's Republic of Albania and the Socialist Republic of Romania participated in the invasion. Albania formally withdrew form the Warsaw Pact in 1968 over the matter.[234] Albania has an embassy in Prague. Czech Republic has an embassy in Tirana.
Denmark	1 May 1970[235]	See Albania–Denmark relations Albania has an embassy in Copenhagen.[236] Denmark has an embassy in Tirana.[237]
Finland		Albania is accredited to Finland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. Finland is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece. Albania is an EU candidate and Finland is a member. Albania supports Finland's NATO membership.
France		See Albania–France relations Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë Albania has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Tirana. Albania is an EU candidate and France is a member. Both countries are full members of NATO.
Georgia	8 July 1993[221]	See Albania–Georgia relations Albania is accredited to Georgia from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey. Georgia is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.
Germany		See Albania–Germany relations Albania has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Tirana. Nazi Germany invaded Albania from September 1943 to November 1944. Albanians in Germany
Greece	de facto in 1971[238][239] de juro 21 March 1996	See Albania–Greece relations Cham Albanians Expulsion of Cham Albanians Albanian communities in Greece Albania has an embassy in Athens and consulates-general in Ioannina and Thessaloniki. Greece has an embassy in Tirana and consulates-general in Gjirokastër and Korça. Greece is home to just under a million Albanians (some sources say 600,000, whilst other Greek organisations claim 900,000 with illegal migrants and overstayers). The Arvanitika are a Tosk dialect traditionally spoken by the Arvanites, a population group in Greece. Arvanitika is today an endangered language, as its speakers have been shifting to the use of Greek and most younger members of the community no longer speak it.[240] Greece is Albania's most important European Union ally and partner.[241] Relations since the election victory of Edi Rama in 2013 have seen massive improvement and warming of relations between the two nations.[35] The Archbishop of Albania is of Greek descent.[242] There are many cultural, political, historical and biological similarities and shared kinship between the Albanian and Greek peoples.[243][244] Greek is the second most spoken language in Albania, with a considerable size having knowledge of it, due to immigration and Greek minority.[245] Albanian is the most common foreign/migrant language in Greece, although most Greeks do not have clear knowledge of it.[246] Many organisations both political and societal exist in Albania and Greece promoting relations between the two nations.[247] As of 2014 both nations have described their relations as 'excellent' and Albania considered Greece one of its 'strongest and most important allies', both NATO nations have close relations nowadays.[248]
Holy See	7 September 1991[249]	See Albania–Holy See relations Albania has an embassy to the Holy See in Rome.[250] Holy See has a resident nunciature (embassy) in Tirana.[250] The Apostolic Nunciature in Albania started asf an apostolic delegation to Albania by Pope Benedict XV on 12 November 1920, and was elevated to the full rank of a nunciature by Pope John Paul II on 16 January 1991. Relations were reestablished in 1991, after the fall of communism in Albania. Pope John Paul II was the first Pope to visit Albania, which took place immediately after the fall of communism. Pope Francis visited Albania on 21 September, which the first nation in Europe he visited.[251] Albania is home to 520,000 Roman Catholics, and is the second largest religion in the country, after Islam. (Roman Catholicism in Albania)
Hungary		See Albania–Hungary relations Albania has an embassy in Budapest. Hungary has an embassy in Tirana. Austria-Hungary supported Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912.
Iceland		Albania is accredited to Iceland from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[252] Iceland is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden[253] and has an honorary consulate in Tirana.[254] Both countries are members of NATO and of Council of Europe.
Ireland		Albania is accredited to Ireland from its embassy in London, United Kingdom.[255] Ireland is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Athens, Greece.[256] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
Italy	1912	See Albania–Italy relations Albania has an embassy in Rome and consulates-general in Bari and Milan. Italy has an embassy in Tirana and consulates-general in Shkodra and Vlora. Arbëreshë people The Kingdom of Italy supported Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. Italian protectorate over Albania Italy invaded Albania from April 1939 to September 1943. (Albanian Kingdom (1939–1943)) Italian colonists in Albania On 14 January 2011, Albania signed a pact with Italy for a corporal foreign strategy.[257] Albanians in Italy Arbëreshë people
Kosovo	18 February 2008	See Albania–Kosovo relations Albania has an embassy in Pristina. Kosovo has an embassy in Tirana. Albania recognized the Republic of Kosovo on 21 October 1991, the only country to do it. Albania recognized Kosovo on 18 February 2008, one of the first countries to do so. Albanians in Kosovo constitute 92% of the population.
Latvia		Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1928 and were restored in 1992.[258] Albania is represented in Latvia by its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.[258] Latvia is represented in Albania by its embassy in Rome, Italy and an honorary consulate in Tirana.[259] Both countries have a number of bilateral agreements.[260]
Montenegro	1 August 2006	See Albania–Montenegro relations Albania has an embassy in Podgorica. Montenegro has an embassy in Tirana. Albanians in Montenegro Serbo-Montenegrins in Albania
Netherlands	1970[261]	See Albania–Netherlands relations Albania has an embassy in The Hague. Netherlands has an embassy in Tirana.
North Macedonia	1991	See Albania–North Macedonia relations Albania has an embassy in Skopje. North Macedonia has an embassy in Tirana. Albanians in North Macedonia Macedonians in Albania
Poland		See Albania–Poland relations Albania has an embassy in Warsaw Poland has an embassy in Tirana. Albania is an EU candidate and Poland is a member. Both countries are full members of NATO.
Portugal		See Albania–Portugal relations Albania has an embassy in Lisbon. Portugal is accredited to Albania from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
Romania	28 December 1913	See Albania–Romania relations Albania has an embassy in Bucharest. Romania has an embassy in Tirana. Romania was the first country that recognized Albania's independence in 1912.[262][263] Albanians of Romania
Russia	7 April 1924	See Albania–Russia relations Albania has an embassy in Moscow. Russia has an embassy in Tirana. Albania-Soviet Union relations.
Serbia		See Albania-Serbia relations Albania has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Tirana. Albanians in Serbia
Sovereign Military Order of Malta	1994[249]	Albania is accredited to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta from its embassy in Rome, Italy. Sovereign Military Order of Malta has an embassy in Tirana.
Slovakia		The multi-national Communist armed forces' sole joint action was the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968. All member countries, with the exception of the People's Republic of Albania and the Socialist Republic of Romania participated in the invasion. Albania formally withdrew form the Warsaw Pact in 1968 over the matter.[234] Albania has an embassy in Bratislava. Slovakia has an embassy in Tirana.
Slovenia		See Albania–Slovenia relations Albania has an embassy in Ljubljana. Slovenia has an embassy in Tirana.
Spain		See Albania–Spain relations Albania has an embassy in Madrid. Spain has an embassy in Tirana.
Sweden		Albania has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Tirana. Albania is an EU candidate and Sweden is a member. Albania supports Sweden's NATO membership. Albanians in the Nordic countries
Switzerland	1 March 1922[264]	Albanians in Switzerland Albania has an embassy in Bern. Switzerland has an embassy in Tirana.
Turkey	1981	See Albania-Turkey relations Albania has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Tirana. Both countries are full members of NATO.
Ukraine	1992	See Albania-Ukraine relations The diplomatic relations between Albania and Ukraine were established in 1922. Albania has a non-resident ambassador in Warsaw, Poland. Ukraine has an embassy in Tirana [265] Albania also has an honorary consulate in Kharkiv. Albanians in Ukraine are an ethnic minority group located mainly in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Budjak.
United Kingdom	9 November 1921	See Albania–United Kingdom relations Albania established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 9 November 1921.[47] Albania maintains an embassy in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to Albania through its embassy in Tirana.[266] Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have an Investment Agreement,[267] and a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement.[268]

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia	1984	Albanian Australian are residents of Australia who are of Albanian heritage or descent. According to the 2011 Australian census 2,398 Albanians were born in Australia while 13,142 claimed Albanian ancestry, either alone or with another ancestry.

Former countries

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Papal States		Albania (League of Lezhë) during the reign of Skanderbeg had good relations with the Papacy.
Kingdom of Naples		Albania (League of Lezhë) during the reign of Skanderbeg had good relations with Naples. See Skanderbeg's Italian expedition
Soviet Union	7 April 1924	See Albania–Soviet Union relations
Republic of Venice		Albanian–Venetian War (1447–1448) Venetian Albania
Yugoslavia	1946	See Albania–Yugoslavia relations
Austria-Hungary		See Albania–Austria relations and Albania–Hungary relations
Czechoslovakia		See Albania–Czech Republic relations Both were members of Warsaw Pact and Comecon
East Germany	1952	See Albania–Germany relations Both were members of Warsaw Pact and Comecon

Multilateral

Organisation	Formal Relations Began	Notes
European Union	1992	See Accession of Albania to the European Union Albania applied in 2009 to join and became an official candidate in June 2014. The Commission recommended the launch of negotiations on 9 November 2016.[269] In 2020 EU ministers agree to start accession talks,[1] on 19 July 2022 Albania starts accession talks and holds the first Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations.[29] Albania has permanent representatives to the European Union in Brussels. European Union has an embassy (delegation) in Tirana.
NATO	1992	See Albania–NATO relations At the 2008 Bucharest summit, NATO invited Albania to join the alliance. In April 2009 Albania became a full member of the NATO, which remains popular in the country especially due to its intervention in the Kosovo war on behalf of ethnic Albanians.[270] Within the Balkans, Albania is considered to be the most pro-European and pro-Western country in the region and unlike its neighbours, except Kosovo, it has to negligible support for Russia.[271][24] Albania has permanent representatives to NATO in Brussels. Albania's relationship with the NATO began in 1992 when it joined EAPC. In 1994, Albania entered NATO's PfP. In 1999, Albania received MAP Albania received an invitation to join at the 2008 Bucharest Summit and became a full member on 1 April 2009.
United Nations	14 December 1955	See Albania at the United Nations Albania has permanent representatives to the UN in New York. Albania became a full member on 14 December 1955.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Albania
• List of diplomatic missions of Albania
• Visa requirements for Albanian citizens