U.S. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for an impartial Albanian state on the Paris Peace Convention in January 1919. Shortly thereafter, on July 28, 1922, america and Albania established diplomatic relations for the primary time when Maxwell Blake, the American Commissioner in Albania, prolonged written notification of the popularity of Albania by america to the Minister of International Affairs of Albania.
U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations had been suspended in 1939 when Albania was occupied by Italy (1939-43) and Germany (1943-44) throughout World Battle II. After the warfare, Albania noticed 45 years of isolation and underdevelopment below its communist chief. With the 1991 fall of communism, the Albanian authorities sought nearer ties with the West to enhance financial circumstances and launched primary democratic reforms. Diplomatic relations between america and Albania had been restored in 1991. In 2015, we signed the U.S.-Albania Strategic Partnership to mirror the shut partnership between our nations and increase our cooperation to the advantage of each nations.
The US and Albania commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the institution of U.S.-Albania relations in 2022. Regardless of interruptions to these relations over the previous century, our two nations solid sturdy bonds, overcame battle and hardship, and emerged as shut allies and associates. With this historical past in thoughts, we glance towards the long run and all that we will accomplish collectively over the subsequent century. Our two nations are rooted in a shared dedication to democratic values, peace, and financial prosperity, that are the inspiration of this enduring partnership. The themes of the one hundredth anniversary mirror these priorities: Friendship, Democracy, Protection, and Enterprise.
Friendship
- Over the previous yr, the Albanian authorities has confirmed itself once more as a powerful accomplice by supporting the relocation of Afghans.
- In 2022, america prolonged the validity of the B1/B2 customer visa for Albanians from three to 10 years.
- In 2021, the U.S. and Albania signed an MOU to guard Albania’s cultural property towards looting and trafficking.
- Our 2015 Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between america and Albania was grounded in shared democratic values, respect for human rights, and the rule of regulation.
- The US supplied humanitarian assist to the Albanian Pink Cross and UNICEF after the 2019 earthquake, despatched fire-fighting specialists to assist in the course of the 2021 wildfires, and supplied greater than $4.4M in COVID-19 help for vaccine rollout, danger communication, and neighborhood engagement.
- Albanian students and college students have researched, taught, or studied at U.S. universities by means of the Fulbright Program in Albania, based in 1991. American students and college students have traveled to Albania for analysis and educating initiatives. In 2021, 91 Albanians got here to america by means of the Division’s Non-public Sector Trade Customer Program (BridgeUSA). A 2019 MOU collectively funded the Fulbright Scholar Program, increasing scholarships for Albanian college students to pursue grasp’s levels in america.
- Since 2001, the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has supplied $1.28 million to fund conservation and safety of serious buildings and archaeological objects in Albania. Within the wake of the November 2019 earthquake, AFCP has targeted on restoring historic monuments in Albania, together with castles and metropolis partitions in Durres and Preze, which had been accomplished and celebrated this yr to honor the 100-year anniversary.
- Since 1992, america authorities has supplied greater than $1 billion in help to Albania to assist political pluralism; civil society; efficient native governments; impartial media; the rule of regulation; the vitality and well being sectors; free-market financial methods; and sustainable financial progress, together with by means of the event of tourism and micro-enterprise partnerships.
Democracy
- One pillar of the sturdy bilateral relationship is a shared dedication to democracy. United States’ assist will proceed for Albania’s justice reform, civil society, media, and electoral course of.
- Albania’s participation within the U.S.-led Summit for Democracy in Washington, DC in December 2021 contributed to selling stronger democratic establishments.
- U.S. help programming helps Albania enhance authorities transparency and accountability, strengthen justice establishments in serving the general public, improve the capability of civil society, and counter corruption, all contributing to its EU accession path.
- U.S. programming helps a free press in Albania constructed on high-quality investigative journalism, which is significant to a thriving democracy. We’re investing in coaching and in boosting media literacy to increase public transparency and broaden residents’ data of the problems that impression their lives and livelihood.
Protection
- The US and Albania share a powerful army partnership and dedication in NATO, which Albania joined in 2009.
- Between 2003 and 2013, practically 4,000 Albanian troops labored alongside NATO forces as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Worldwide Safety Help Power in Afghanistan. Albanian and U.S. forces stand beside one another in NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo too.
- Albania was one of many first nations to welcome over 2,500 Afghan evacuees after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The U.S. authorities and American NGOs acknowledged the Albanian authorities’s contributions in offering protected refuge to these in want.
- In 2021, Albania helped to host Defender Europe 21, which built-in roughly 28,000 U.S., Allied and accomplice forces from 26 nations in practically simultaneous operations throughout coaching areas in additional than a dozen nations from the Baltics, to Africa, to the crucial Black Sea and Balkan areas. The train was so profitable that Albania will as soon as once more host parts of Defender-Europe 23 subsequent yr.
- Albania was elected a non-permanent member of the UN Safety Council (UNSC) for 2022-2023. Albania’s priorities within the Safety Council embody addressing international crises, encouraging peaceable battle decision, partnership, and mediation. Albania and america are co-penholders at the united states on Ukraine points.
- U.S. Particular Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) established a forward-based Particular Operations Forces headquarters in Albania this yr, with the complete assist of the Albanian authorities and Albanian army.
- U.S. European Command (EUCOM) is aiding Albania to develop its NATO capabilities. A crew from the US Army’s 4th Safety Power Help Brigade (SFAB) resides and coaching alongside the Albanian Land Forces to speed up these efforts.
Enterprise
- In October 2020, america and Albania signed a Memorandum of Financial Cooperation (MEC). On the identical day, Albania signed an settlement with American infrastructure firm Bechtel, for the long-planned Skavica Hydropower Undertaking, launching the venture in October 2021. This milestone marks a promising future in america’ and Albania’s rising financial relationship. The MEC additionally facilitated an settlement between Albania and U.S. vitality firms, ExxonMobil and Excelerate Power to import U.S. liquified pure gasoline to Albania by means of an LNG terminal in Vlora, which might be used to generate vitality not solely in Albania, but additionally to satisfy vitality wants throughout the area.
- Bilateral commerce between america and Albania was $162.2 million in 2021, up 47% from the earlier yr. S. exports are up 61% and Albanian exports are up 30% in comparison with 2020. U.S. overseas direct funding additionally reached a brand new excessive in 2021. Affluent instances lie forward for American traders as Albania demonstrates its benefits as an funding vacation spot.
- The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania (AmCham Albania), established in 2000, is growing bilateral commerce, selling overseas funding in Albania, and burnishing the Albanian enterprise picture in U.S. and worldwide markets by means of 220 lively members representing the best and profitable companies in Albania.
- In 2022, Albania and the Jones Worldwide Group signed an MOU on safe digital networks.
