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Albania–Turkey relations

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Albanian-Turkish relations
Map indicating locations of Albania and Turkey

Albania
Turkey

Albanian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Albania and Turkey. Albania has an embassy in Ankara and a general consulate in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Tirana.

Both nations are predominantly Muslim and are both part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.[1] They are also full members of NATO and the Union for the Mediterranean.[citation needed] Also Turkey and Albania are candidates for accession in the EU.

Turkey has about 1.3 million citizens of full or partial Albanian descent,[2] and most still feel a connection to Albania. The bond between these two nations stems from historical reasons, especially since many Albanians converted to Islam during the time of the Ottoman empire, the official religion at that time.

Albania was the last nation in southeastern Europe to declare independence from the Ottoman Empire, on 28 November 1912. To this day, relations between the two countries are stable.

During he Cold War era, relations between the two sides were suspended completely in 1951 as a result of Turkish entry into NATO and Turkish participation in the Korean War. Before that relations were downgraded in 1948 as a result of Turkish protest at complete Communist takeover of Albania. In 1969 secret military and intelligence relations were restored, and full diplomatic relations were restored in 1981.

As of 2 February 2010, citizens of either state may freely visit the other country for up to 90 days without visas.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ OIC - Member States. Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Türkiye'deki Kürtlerin sayısı!" (in Turkish). 6 June 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Albania, Turkey launch visa-free travel". SETimes. 10 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
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