100 Years of U.S.-Albania Relations

07/28/2022 06:01 PM EDT

Office of the Spokesperson

U.S. President Woodrow Wilson advocated for an independent Albanian state at the Paris Peace Conference in January 1919. Shortly thereafter, on July 28, 1922, the United States and Albania established diplomatic relations for the first time when Maxwell Blake, the American Commissioner in Albania, extended written notification of the recognition of Albania by the United States to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania.

U.S.-Albanian diplomatic relations were suspended in 1939 when Albania was occupied by Italy (1939-43) and Germany (1943-44) during World War II. After the war, Albania saw 45 years of isolation and underdevelopment under its communist leader. With the 1991 fall of communism, the Albanian government sought closer ties with the West to improve economic conditions and introduced basic democratic reforms. Diplomatic relations between the United States and Albania were restored in 1991. In 2015, we signed the U.S.-Albania Strategic Partnership to reflect the close partnership between our countries and expand our cooperation to the benefit of both nations.

The United States and Albania commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-Albania relations in 2022. Despite interruptions to those relations over the past century, our two countries forged strong bonds, overcame conflict and hardship, and emerged as close allies and friends. With this history in mind, we look toward the future and all that we can accomplish together over the next century. Our two nations are rooted in a shared commitment to democratic values, peace, and economic prosperity, which are the foundation of this enduring partnership. The themes of the 100th anniversary reflect these priorities: Friendship, Democracy, Defense, and Business.