Albania: U.S. Recognition and Diplomatic Relations since 1776

Summary

U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations, first established in 1922, were interrupted when Italy took control of Albania’s foreign affairs in 1939. After Italy’s defeat in World War II, an informal US mission was sent to Albania in 1945 to study the possibility of reestablishing relations with the National Liberation Front (NLF) regime; however, disagreements led the United States to withdraw the mission in November 1946. Following World War II, Albania under Communist ruler Enver Hoxha was one of the most diplomatically isolated nations in the world. After Hoxha’s death and subsequent liberal political and social reforms, Albania and the United States reestablished diplomatic relations. Albania received an invitation to join NATO in April 2008 and is expected to become a full member in 2009.

Modern Flag of Albania

Recognition

Mutual Recognition, 1922

In a July 25, 1922 telegram Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes informed the American Commissioner in Albania, Maxwell Blake, that on July 28, 1922 Blake “may extend to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania written notification of the de jure recognition of Albania by the United States.”

Diplomatic Relations

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, 1922

Diplomatic relations were established on December 4, 1922, when Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Ulysses Grant-Smith presented credentials to the government of Albania in Tirana.

Diplomatic Relations Ended and American Legation Closed, 1939

Italian forces invaded Albania in 1939 and occupied Tirana on April 8, 1939. U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations ended on June 5, 1939, when Albanian Minister for Foreign Affairs notified the American Minister in Albania that Italy had taken control of Albania’s foreign affairs. Legation Tirana was officially closed on September 16, 1939.

Diplomatic Relations Reestablished, 1991

The United States and Albania resumed diplomatic relations on March 15, 1991, when Albanian Foreign Minister Muhamet Kapllani and Assistant Secretary Raymond Seitz signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Washington.

Treaties and Agreements

Establishment of Most-Favored-Nation Status, 1922

Prior to mutual official recognition, American Commissioner Maxwell Blake exchanged notes with Albanian President of the Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs Djafer Upi to ensure mutual most-favored-nation status in future commercial treaties between Albania and the United States.

Establishment of Relief Assistance, 1945

Following the expulsion of Italian and German occupying troops by Albanian nationalist groups, the United States signed a treaty with the Albanian military authority promising relief supplies via military operation.

Resources

Where this page came from

This page was imported from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776, published by the Office of the Historian of the U.S. Department of State: a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

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