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{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Albanian–Serbian|Albania|Serbia}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations|Albanian–Serbian|Albania|Serbia}}
'''Albanian–Serbian relations''' are foreign relations between [[Albania]] and [[Serbia]]. Albania has an embassy in [[Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite journal|date=March 29, 1999|title=Vandals damage Albanian embassy in Belgrade|journal= BBC |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F99F7A1D903E6C6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM}}</ref> Serbia has an embassy in [[Tirana]].<ref>{{cite journal|date=February 20, 2008|title=Serbian charge d'affaires prepares to quit Albania |journal=BBC|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/BBAB/lib00589,11EF5AD927A421E0.html}}</ref> Both countries are full members of the [[Council of Europe]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)]], the [[Central European Free Trade Agreement|Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)]] and the [[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation|Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)]]. Also both countries are recognized as potential candidate countries by the [[European Union]].
'''Albanian–Serbian relations''' are foreign relations between [[Albania]] and [[Serbia]]. Albania has an embassy in [[Belgrade]].<ref name="Vandals damage Albanian embassy in Belgrade"/> Serbia has an embassy in [[Tirana]].<ref name="Serbian charge d'affaires prepares to quit Albania"/> Both countries are full members of the [[Council of Europe]], the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)]], the [[Central European Free Trade Agreement|Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)]] and the [[Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation|Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)]]. Also both countries are recognized as potential candidate countries by the [[European Union]].


== History ==
== History ==
=== Ottoman period ===
=== Ottoman period ===


[[image:Palace_Albanija_at_night.jpg|thumb|right|[[Palace Albanija]] in Belgrade, capital of Serbia]]
[[File:Palace_Albanija_at_night.jpg|thumb|right|[[Palace Albanija]] in Belgrade, capital of Serbia]]


In the Ottoman period, Serbian diplomat [[Ilija Garašanin]] contacted the [[abbot]] of [[Mirdita]], Msgr. [[Gasper Krasniqi]], with the goal of acquiring the Albanian Catholic element as the alleged solution to the "[[Eastern Question]]".<ref name="Mirdita">[http://home.aubg.bg/students/BAM060/Term%20Paper/nacertanije/fdp004.pdf Prof. dr. Zef Mirdita, ALBANIA IN THE LIGHT OF SERBIAN FOREIGN POLICY]</ref>{{Dead link|date=July 2010}} However, their goals were different. While Garašanin considered those contacts as means for the realization of a Serbian exit to the [[Adriatic Sea]], Krasniqi made effort to help Serbia to organize a revolution of the Albanian Catholic community, primarily [[Mirdita]], against the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]], for the political freedom and independence of [[Albania]].<ref name="Mirdita"/>{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}
In the Ottoman period, Serbian diplomat [[Ilija Garašanin]] contacted the [[abbot]] of [[Mirdita]], Msgr. [[Gasper Krasniqi]], with the goal of acquiring the Albanian Catholic element as the alleged solution to the "[[Eastern Question]]".<ref name="Mirdita"/> However, their goals were different. While Garašanin considered those contacts as means for the realization of a Serbian exit to the [[Adriatic Sea]], Krasniqi made effort to help Serbia to organize a revolution of the Albanian Catholic community, primarily [[Mirdita]], against the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]], for the political freedom and independence of [[Albania]].<ref name="Mirdita"/>{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}


=== Balkan wars ===
=== Balkan wars ===
{{Main|Serbian campaign in Albania (Balkan Wars)}}
{{Main|Serbian campaign in Albania (Balkan Wars)}}


At the beginning of [[Balkan Wars]], one of the important strategic goals of Serbian politics was to acquire a corridor to the [[Adriatic Sea]] through northern Albania.<ref>[[Dimitrije Bogdanović]]: [http://www.rastko.rs/kosovo/istorija/knjiga_o_kosovu/bogdanovic-kosovo_3.html#3_I Knjiga o Kosovu]</ref><ref>[http://www.pescanik.net/content/view/541/132/ Aleksandar Bošković, Albanci kao metafora]</ref> The [[First Balkan War]] found the [[Albanians]] as a [[nation]] fighting for its own [[national state]]. At the end of 1912, after the [[Porte]] recognized the [[autonomy]] of Albania, neighboring Balkan states [[Serbia]], [[Montenegro]] and [[Greece]] jointly attacked the [[Ottoman Empire]] and during the next few months partitioned all Ottoman territory inhabited by Albanians.<ref name="Report">[http://www.archive.org/details/reportofinternat00inteuoft Report of the International Commission to Inquire into the Causes and Conduct of the Balkan War (1914)]</ref> The [[Kingdom of Serbia]] occupied most of the Albanian-inhabited land and the Albanian [[Adriatic coast]]. These events greatly contributed to the growth of the [[Serbian-Albanian conflict]].<ref>[http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1914_1.html Serbien und Albanien: ein kritischer Beitrag zur Unterdrückungspolitik der serbischen Bourgeoisie]</ref>
At the beginning of [[Balkan Wars]], one of the important strategic goals of Serbian politics was to acquire a corridor to the [[Adriatic Sea]] through northern Albania.<ref>[[Dimitrije Bogdanović]]: [http://www.rastko.rs/kosovo/istorija/knjiga_o_kosovu/bogdanovic-kosovo_3.html#3_I Knjiga o Kosovu]</ref><ref>[http://www.pescanik.net/content/view/541/132/ Aleksandar Bošković, Albanci kao metafora]</ref> The [[First Balkan War]] found the [[Albanians]] as a [[nation]] fighting for its own [[national state]]. At the end of 1912, after the [[Porte]] recognized the [[autonomy]] of Albania, neighboring Balkan states [[Serbia]], [[Montenegro]] and [[Greece]] jointly attacked the [[Ottoman Empire]] and during the next few months partitioned all Ottoman territory inhabited by Albanians.<ref name="Report"/> The [[Kingdom of Serbia]] occupied most of the Albanian-inhabited land and the Albanian [[Adriatic coast]]. These events greatly contributed to the growth of the [[Serbian-Albanian conflict]].<ref>[http://www.albanianhistory.net/texts20_1/AH1914_1.html Serbien und Albanien: ein kritischer Beitrag zur Unterdrückungspolitik der serbischen Bourgeoisie]</ref>


=== World War II ===
=== World War II ===


[[Image:Balkanska federacija.png|thumb|desno|Communist project of post-war [[Balkan Federation]].]]
[[File:Balkanska federacija.png|thumb|desno|Communist project of post-war [[Balkan Federation]].]]


During [[World War II]], a very close cooperation developed between the [[People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia]] and the [[People's Liberation Army of Albania]]. The Albanian People's Army assumed power in the country in [[1944]]. [[Democratic Federal Yugoslavia]] was the first country to recognize the new government of Albania in April [[1945]].<ref name="Komatina"/>
During [[World War II]], a very close cooperation developed between the [[People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia]] and the [[People's Liberation Army of Albania]]. The Albanian People's Army assumed power in the country in [[1944]]. [[Democratic Federal Yugoslavia]] was the first country to recognize the new government of Albania in April [[1945]].<ref name="Komatina"/>


There were communist plans to create a [[Balkan federation]] which would include Yugoslavia, Albania, [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Greece]].<ref name="Komatina"/> However, after the resolution of [[Informbiro]] [[1948]], Albania broke relations with the Yugoslav communists, because [[Enver Hoxha]] remained loyal to [[Stalin]].<ref name="Komatina">Milorad Komatina, Enver Hodža i jugoslovensko-albanski odnosi, Službeni list SRJ, Beograd 1995. godina</ref>
There were communist plans to create a [[Balkan federation]] which would include Yugoslavia, Albania, [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]] and [[Greece]].<ref name="Komatina"/> However, after the resolution of [[Informbiro]] [[1948]], Albania broke relations with the Yugoslav communists, because [[Enver Hoxha]] remained loyal to [[Stalin]].<ref name="Komatina"/>


=== Yugoslav wars ===
=== Yugoslav wars ===


In June 1991, as the [[Yugoslav wars]] broke out, Albanian Foreign Minister [[Mehmet Kapllani]] visited [[Croatia]]. During this time, [[Ramiz Alia]], President of Albania, began discussions with ethnic Albanian leaders in [[Kosovo]]. In July 1991 relations between Albania and Yugoslavia were strained. Yugoslav and Albanian leaders exchanged fire, and Serbian leaders accused Albanians of instigating unrest in Kosovo and not respecting frontier markers. The Yugoslav government released a statement accusing Albania of interfering in Yugoslavia’s internal affairs and warned Albania that Yugoslavia would react "decisively with all available means" to any challenges to its sovereignty.<ref name="civ">{{cite book|last=Keohane |first=Robert Owen |coauthors=Joseph S. Nye, Stanley Hoffmann|title=After the Cold War |pages=369, 370|url=http://books.google.com/?id=-QguRq9KtVMC&pg=PA369&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations|isbn=9780674008649|year=1993}}</ref>
In June 1991, as the [[Yugoslav wars]] broke out, Albanian Foreign Minister [[Mehmet Kapllani]] visited [[Croatia]]. During this time, [[Ramiz Alia]], President of Albania, began discussions with ethnic Albanian leaders in [[Kosovo]]. In July 1991 relations between Albania and Yugoslavia were strained. Yugoslav and Albanian leaders exchanged fire, and Serbian leaders accused Albanians of instigating unrest in Kosovo and not respecting frontier markers. The Yugoslav government released a statement accusing Albania of interfering in Yugoslavia’s internal affairs and warned Albania that Yugoslavia would react "decisively with all available means" to any challenges to its sovereignty.<ref name="civ"/>


In a reversal of previous policies at the time, Albania improved relations with the Soviet Union and the United States to stop possible Serbian aggression and to stop the superpowers from exploiting unrest in Albania.<ref name="civ"/>
In a reversal of previous policies at the time, Albania improved relations with the Soviet Union and the United States to stop possible Serbian aggression and to stop the superpowers from exploiting unrest in Albania.<ref name="civ"/>


In 1998, as Kosovo Albanian refugees were fleeing across the border into northern Albania, Albania had proved that Yugoslavia had executed a campaign of ethnic cleansing, and called on the international community to intercede.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/104786.stm|title=World: Europe Albania accuses Serbia of ethnic cleansing |date=June 2, 1998|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
In 1998, as Kosovo Albanian refugees were fleeing across the border into northern Albania, Albania had proved that Yugoslavia had executed a campaign of ethnic cleansing, and called on the international community to intercede.<ref name="World: Europe Albania accuses Serbia of ethnic cleansing"/>


In 2007, after Kosovo proclaimed its [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|independence]], Albania was between the first countries to [[International recognition of Kosovo|recognize]] it. Serbia's reaction was that of recalling the Serbian ambassador for consultations in protest from any state recognising Kosovo.<ref name="Serbia action plan">[http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 "PROTEST CONVEYED TO FRANCE, BRITAIN, COSTA RICA, AUSTRALIA, ALBANIA"] ''The economic team for Kosovo and Metohija and the South of Serbia'', 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25.</ref>
In 2007, after Kosovo proclaimed its [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|independence]], Albania was between the first countries to [[International recognition of Kosovo|recognize]] it. Serbia's reaction was that of recalling the Serbian ambassador for consultations in protest from any state recognising Kosovo.<ref name="Serbia action plan"/>


In March 2009, Vladimir Vukčević, Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, asked Albania to reinvestigate claims that some of the Serbs who disappeared during the Kosovo conflict may have been killed for their organs in Albania.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/2009_03_02_Serbia_asks_Albania_to_probe_organ_trafficking/srvc=home&position=recent|title=Serbia asks Albania to probe organ trafficking|date=March 2, 2009 |publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
In March 2009, Vladimir Vukčević, Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, asked Albania to reinvestigate claims that some of the Serbs who disappeared during the Kosovo conflict may have been killed for their organs in Albania.<ref name="Serbia asks Albania to probe organ trafficking"/>


== Minority rights ==
== Minority rights ==


In December 2008 Serbian police arrested ten former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), in an Albanian-populated area bordering Kosovo. Serbia's war crimes prosecution office stated that it had evidence that the ten KLA members had killed 51 people and kidnapped 159 civilians in Kosovo between June and October 1999. In January 2009 Albanian President [[Bamir Topi]] demanded that Serbia respect the Albanian minority in southern Serbia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231426023.84/|title=Albania urges Serbia to respect minority rights|date=8 January 2009|accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>
In December 2008 Serbian police arrested ten former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), in an Albanian-populated area bordering Kosovo. Serbia's war crimes prosecution office stated that it had evidence that the ten KLA members had killed 51 people and kidnapped 159 civilians in Kosovo between June and October 1999. In January 2009 Albanian President [[Bamir Topi]] demanded that Serbia respect the Albanian minority in southern Serbia.<ref name="Albania urges Serbia to respect minority rights"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 46: Line 46:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2|refs=

<ref name="Albania urges Serbia to respect minority rights">{{cite news|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231426023.84/|title=Albania urges Serbia to respect minority rights|date=8 January 2009|accessdate=2009-04-16|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5uDKhU7fI |archivedate = 2010-11-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>

<ref name="Komatina">Milorad Komatina, Enver Hodža i jugoslovensko-albanski odnosi, Službeni list SRJ, Beograd 1995. godina</ref>

<ref name="Mirdita">[http://home.aubg.bg/students/BAM060/Term%20Paper/nacertanije/fdp004.pdf Prof. dr. Zef Mirdita, ALBANIA IN THE LIGHT OF SERBIAN FOREIGN POLICY]{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="Report">[http://www.archive.org/details/reportofinternat00inteuoft Report of the International Commission to Inquire into the Causes and Conduct of the Balkan War (1914)]</ref>

<ref name="Serbia action plan">[http://www.ekonomskitim.sr.gov.yu/et.php?str=novost_detalji&jez=eng&nov=1852 "PROTEST CONVEYED TO FRANCE, BRITAIN, COSTA RICA, AUSTRALIA, ALBANIA"] ''The economic team for Kosovo and Metohija and the South of Serbia'', 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25. {{dead link|date=November 2010}}</ref>

<ref name="Serbia asks Albania to probe organ trafficking">{{cite news|url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/international/europe/view/2009_03_02_Serbia_asks_Albania_to_probe_organ_trafficking/srvc=home&position=recent|title=Serbia asks Albania to probe organ trafficking|date=March 2, 2009 |agency=Associated Press|accessdate=2009-04-16|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5uDKgkujs |archivedate = 2010-11-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>

<ref name="Serbian charge d'affaires prepares to quit Albania">{{cite journal|date=February 20, 2008|title=Serbian charge d'affaires prepares to quit Albania |journal=BBC|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/BBAB/lib00589,11EF5AD927A421E0.html|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5uDKeMu7C |archivedate = 2010-11-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>

<ref name="Vandals damage Albanian embassy in Belgrade">{{cite journal|date=March 29, 1999|title=Vandals damage Albanian embassy in Belgrade|journal= BBC |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F99F7A1D903E6C6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM}}</ref>

<ref name="World: Europe Albania accuses Serbia of ethnic cleansing">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/104786.stm|title=World: Europe Albania accuses Serbia of ethnic cleansing |date=June 2, 1998|publisher=BBC|accessdate=2009-04-16|archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5uDKfr4jt |archivedate = 2010-11-13|deadurl=no}}</ref>

<ref name="civ">{{cite book|last=Keohane |first=Robert Owen |coauthors=Joseph S. Nye, Stanley Hoffmann|title=After the Cold War |pages=369, 370|url=http://books.google.com/?id=-QguRq9KtVMC&pg=PA369&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations|isbn=978-0-674-00864-9|year=1993}}</ref>
}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tirana.mfa.gov.rs/ |title=Embassy of Serbia in Tirana|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.tirana.mfa.gov.rs/ |title=Embassy of Serbia in Tirana|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05E5DF1F31E433A2575BC1A96F9C946195D6CF|title=ALBANIA'S COMPLAINTS.; Continued Advance of Serbian Troops Is Charged.|date=September 18, 1920|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-04-16 | first=C.A | last=Chekrezi}}
* {{cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E05E5DF1F31E433A2575BC1A96F9C946195D6CF|title=ALBANIA'S COMPLAINTS.; Continued Advance of Serbian Troops Is Charged.|date=September 18, 1920|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-04-16 | first=C.A | last=Chekrezi}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title=Serbian legation in us makes public charges that Albanians plan to attack Serbia along the frontier|year=1920 |publisher=The New York Times index|pages=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title=Serbian legation in us makes public charges that Albanians plan to attack Serbia along the frontier|year=1920 |publisher=The New York Times index|page=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title=Chekrezi denies Albania is aggressive says Serbs plan attack on Serbian-Macedonian front|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index|pages=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title=Chekrezi denies Albania is aggressive says Serbs plan attack on Serbian-Macedonian front|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index|page=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= SY Groutich holds that outside influences are responsible for clashes|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index|pages=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= SY Groutich holds that outside influences are responsible for clashes|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index|page=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= Allies and US appealed to by Albanian Foreign Minister to compel withdraw of Serb troops|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index |pages=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= Allies and US appealed to by Albanian Foreign Minister to compel withdraw of Serb troops|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index |page=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= Albanian Comr to US C.A. Chekrezi, replies to Groutich, Groutich answers Chekrezi, Chekrezi replies to Groutich, charges continued advance of Serbs|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index |pages=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=cJ4YAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=albania+%22serbia%22+relations&as_brr=3&ei=gonmScCOM6KuzASEneC4BQ|title= Albanian Comr to US C.A. Chekrezi, replies to Groutich, Groutich answers Chekrezi, Chekrezi replies to Groutich, charges continued advance of Serbs|year=1920|publisher=The New York Times index |page=10|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/05/02/feature-03|title=Theatre groups help build ties between Albania, Serbia|date=2006-05-02|publisher=SETimes.com|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/05/02/feature-03|title=Theatre groups help build ties between Albania, Serbia|date=2006-05-02|publisher=SETimes.com|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22969311_ITM|title=Albanian, Serbia-Montenegro presidents discuss bilateral relations, Kosovo|date=10-APR-03|publisher=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire/Financial Times Ltd./BBC|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* {{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22969311_ITM|title=Albanian, Serbia-Montenegro presidents discuss bilateral relations, Kosovo|date=10-APR-03|publisher=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire/Financial Times Ltd./BBC|accessdate=2009-04-16}}
* [http://home.aubg.bg/students/BAM060/Term%20Paper/nacertanije/fdp004.pdf Prof. dr. Zef Mirdita, ALBANIA IN THE LIGHT OF SERBIAN FOREIGN POLICY]
* [http://home.aubg.bg/students/BAM060/Term%20Paper/nacertanije/fdp004.pdf Prof. dr. Zef Mirdita, ALBANIA IN THE LIGHT OF SERBIAN FOREIGN POLICY]

Revision as of 17:14, 13 November 2010

Albanian–Serbian relations
Map indicating locations of Albania and Serbia

Albania
Serbia

Albanian–Serbian relations are foreign relations between Albania and Serbia. Albania has an embassy in Belgrade.[1] Serbia has an embassy in Tirana.[2] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Also both countries are recognized as potential candidate countries by the European Union.

History

Ottoman period

Palace Albanija in Belgrade, capital of Serbia

In the Ottoman period, Serbian diplomat Ilija Garašanin contacted the abbot of Mirdita, Msgr. Gasper Krasniqi, with the goal of acquiring the Albanian Catholic element as the alleged solution to the "Eastern Question".[3] However, their goals were different. While Garašanin considered those contacts as means for the realization of a Serbian exit to the Adriatic Sea, Krasniqi made effort to help Serbia to organize a revolution of the Albanian Catholic community, primarily Mirdita, against the Turks, for the political freedom and independence of Albania.[3][dead link]

Balkan wars

Main article: Serbian campaign in Albania (Balkan Wars)

At the beginning of Balkan Wars, one of the important strategic goals of Serbian politics was to acquire a corridor to the Adriatic Sea through northern Albania.[4][5] The First Balkan War found the Albanians as a nation fighting for its own national state. At the end of 1912, after the Porte recognized the autonomy of Albania, neighboring Balkan states Serbia, Montenegro and Greece jointly attacked the Ottoman Empire and during the next few months partitioned all Ottoman territory inhabited by Albanians.[6] The Kingdom of Serbia occupied most of the Albanian-inhabited land and the Albanian Adriatic coast. These events greatly contributed to the growth of the Serbian-Albanian conflict.[7]

World War II

Communist project of post-war Balkan Federation.

During World War II, a very close cooperation developed between the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia and the People's Liberation Army of Albania. The Albanian People's Army assumed power in the country in 1944. Democratic Federal Yugoslavia was the first country to recognize the new government of Albania in April 1945.[8]

There were communist plans to create a Balkan federation which would include Yugoslavia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.[8] However, after the resolution of Informbiro 1948, Albania broke relations with the Yugoslav communists, because Enver Hoxha remained loyal to Stalin.[8]

Yugoslav wars

In June 1991, as the Yugoslav wars broke out, Albanian Foreign Minister Mehmet Kapllani visited Croatia. During this time, Ramiz Alia, President of Albania, began discussions with ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo. In July 1991 relations between Albania and Yugoslavia were strained. Yugoslav and Albanian leaders exchanged fire, and Serbian leaders accused Albanians of instigating unrest in Kosovo and not respecting frontier markers. The Yugoslav government released a statement accusing Albania of interfering in Yugoslavia’s internal affairs and warned Albania that Yugoslavia would react "decisively with all available means" to any challenges to its sovereignty.[9]

In a reversal of previous policies at the time, Albania improved relations with the Soviet Union and the United States to stop possible Serbian aggression and to stop the superpowers from exploiting unrest in Albania.[9]

In 1998, as Kosovo Albanian refugees were fleeing across the border into northern Albania, Albania had proved that Yugoslavia had executed a campaign of ethnic cleansing, and called on the international community to intercede.[10]

In 2007, after Kosovo proclaimed its independence, Albania was between the first countries to recognize it. Serbia's reaction was that of recalling the Serbian ambassador for consultations in protest from any state recognising Kosovo.[11]

In March 2009, Vladimir Vukčević, Serbia’s war crimes prosecutor, asked Albania to reinvestigate claims that some of the Serbs who disappeared during the Kosovo conflict may have been killed for their organs in Albania.[12]

Minority rights

In December 2008 Serbian police arrested ten former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), in an Albanian-populated area bordering Kosovo. Serbia's war crimes prosecution office stated that it had evidence that the ten KLA members had killed 51 people and kidnapped 159 civilians in Kosovo between June and October 1999. In January 2009 Albanian President Bamir Topi demanded that Serbia respect the Albanian minority in southern Serbia.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Vandals damage Albanian embassy in Belgrade". BBC. March 29, 1999.
  2. ^ "Serbian charge d'affaires prepares to quit Albania". BBC. February 20, 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b Prof. dr. Zef Mirdita, ALBANIA IN THE LIGHT OF SERBIAN FOREIGN POLICY[dead link]
  4. ^ Dimitrije Bogdanović: Knjiga o Kosovu
  5. ^ Aleksandar Bošković, Albanci kao metafora
  6. ^ Report of the International Commission to Inquire into the Causes and Conduct of the Balkan War (1914)
  7. ^ Serbien und Albanien: ein kritischer Beitrag zur Unterdrückungspolitik der serbischen Bourgeoisie
  8. ^ a b c Milorad Komatina, Enver Hodža i jugoslovensko-albanski odnosi, Službeni list SRJ, Beograd 1995. godina
  9. ^ a b Keohane, Robert Owen (1993). After the Cold War. pp. 369, 370. ISBN 978-0-674-00864-9. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "World: Europe Albania accuses Serbia of ethnic cleansing". BBC. June 2, 1998. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2009-04-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "PROTEST CONVEYED TO FRANCE, BRITAIN, COSTA RICA, AUSTRALIA, ALBANIA" The economic team for Kosovo and Metohija and the South of Serbia, 20 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25. [dead link]
  12. ^ "Serbia asks Albania to probe organ trafficking". Associated Press. March 2, 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2009-04-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Albania urges Serbia to respect minority rights". 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2009-04-16. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

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