UN talks of strong friendship with Albania, cites military contribution to KFOR in Kosovo

The United States has been a partner and a strong friend of Albania since the establishment of first diplomatic relations in 1922 and the restoration in 1991 following the fall of communist rule, a UN report said, on Antony Blinkent's visit to Tirana.

” We have been proud to be partners with Albania, as it has made progress to reinforce democracy, open up its economy and offer greater opportunities to all its people. Albania and the United States have signed a series of agreements, including a treaty to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and promotion of defence and military relations; The Adriatic Charter for Euro-Atlantic integration; an agreement on the functioning of a special Afghan visa platform for immigration on Albanian soil; and a memorandum of understanding for security 4G and 5G. The United States supports Albania's European Union membership target, as it did for Albania's pursuit of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), it is said in the statement reached in Klonkosova.tv.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States and Albania are committed to strengthening economic and trade ties. In recent years, Albania has taken major steps in promoting trade and opening a series of sectors to foreign investments. Energy, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, travel and tourism, construction and agriculture are the main sectors for exports and increased US investments. The U.S. investments in Albania have tripled compared to the pre-convenient level of 2019, while the trade of goods between the two countries has increased by once and a half. Key imports from the United States include food, vehicles and machinery, while major exports to the United States include agricultural goods, honoalizes, aluminum and shoes. Albania has the right to export specific customs-free products to the United States under the General Preferences System programme. The United States and Albania have ratified a bilateral investment treaty.

US Assistance to Albania

US Government assistance aims to help Albania strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law; promoting sustained economic growth; and the country's integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The United States will continue to be partners with Albania to fight corruption and organised crime and improve transparent, inclusive governance critical to the country's success on its path towards EU integration. The United States and Albania are implementing one of our greatest cyber security assistance efforts, worth over $50m in support of strengthening Albania's cyber defence.

Albania's Membership in International Organisations

Albania and the United States belong to a host of the same international organisations, including the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation. . Albania is also an observer of the Organisation of American States. Since June 2014, Albania has been a candidate for membership in the European Union.

Standing Together in Support of Ukraine

The United States and Albania are working together in co-ordination with allies and other partners to secure Ukraine's future as a sovereign, free and prosperous nation. We are committed to supporting Ukraine's courageous and flexible people, helping them protect their nation from the brutal, unprotested aggression of Russia and prevent future attacks.

Albania regularly contributes to regional and global security. Under the Adriatic Charter, Albania has acted as a mentor to new NATO hopefuls. Albania and members of the American service have stood side by side in military action in Afghanistan and Iraq and as part of the Global Coalition for Counter I SIL. We have worked together to freeze terrorism assets and close nongovernmental organisations with possible links to terrorism financing.

” Albania contributes to operations around the globe, with troops deployed in Latvia as part of NATO's Advanced Presence (e FP) and in Kosovo as part of KFOR”, specified among other things.

Albania is committed to the Joint Task Force of the High Readiness and Long Vigilance Activity. Beyond NATO, Albania sent its first-ever deployment to the peacekeeping mission of the Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO) at Sinai and is a member of the Combined Marine Forces supporting operations on the Red Sea.

Albania also expects a continued US military presence. In 2022, Albania welcomed a headquarters of the European Special Operations Command (SOCEUR), a working group in the Balkans and a US Army Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB) and works closely with the New Jersey National Guard for Cyber Protection and Military Training. Albania's close relationship with the National Guard of New Jersey and the SFAB helped them to pass successfully NATO's war readiness assessment at the end of 2022.

Helping our Afghan allies at their time of need

With Albania's steadfast support, the United States is fulfilling commitments made to our Afghan allies. Albania's help embodys humanity and its deeply rooted tradition of caring for and providing shelter for those in need and further emphasises the deep link between our nations.

Human Connection to People

Albania and the United States share a strong bond and equity dating back to President Woodrow's intervention Wilson in favor of Albania's independence. Since the fall of communism in 1991, Americans and Albanians strengthened our joint ties through exchange programmes, including Fulbright, the Y high school exchange ES, International Visitor Leadership Program and others. There are more than 2,000 Albanian American government programmes. Peace Corps volunteers have been serving throughout the country since 1992, and have been a vital part of people's ties with our countries.