Albania–Ukraine relations

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Albanian-Ukrainian relations
Map indicating locations of Albania and Ukraine

Albania
Ukraine

The diplomatic relations between Albania and Ukraine were established in 1922.[citation needed] In September 2020, Ukraine opened an embassy in Tirana.[1] Albania is accredited to Ukraine from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and has an honorary consulate in Kharkiv.[2]

Diplomatic offices[edit]

Diplomatic and consular missions of Ukraine: The Embassy of Ukraine in Albania has been operating since September 1, 2020.[3]

Diplomatic and consular missions of Albania: The Embassy of Albania in Ukraine (part-time) with a residence in Warsaw, Poland. In early 2023, Albanian Foreign Minister Olha Jachka announced that Albania plans to open its embassy in Ukraine.[4]

History[edit]

Early contacts[edit]

During a visit to the Soviet Union, Albanian leader Enver Hoxha visited Kyiv on his way to Moscow.[5]

Post-Cold War and new relations[edit]

Albania recognized the independence of Ukraine on January 4, 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 13, 1993.

Opposition to Russian activity[edit]

Annexation of Crimea and War in Donbass[edit]

Albania opposed the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia and its moves to destabilise eastern areas of Ukraine.[6] Albanian authorities stated the West needed to respond in a firm and unitary manner toward Russian actions in Ukraine.[6]

As Russian military actions in Ukraine commenced, Albanian President Ilir Meta,[7] Prime Minister Edi Rama,[8] Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhaçka,[9] and Ambassador to the UN Ferit Hoxha[10][11] made statements condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After a NATO summit, Rama said that Albania would be ready to welcome a few thousand Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.[12] Albania opposed Russia's recognition of the separatist regions in Ukraine's Donbass as independent and considered it a violation of international law, the Minsk Protocol and Ukrainian sovereignty.[13]

2022 invasion of Ukraine[edit]

In late February 2022, Albania and the US tabled a co-written resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the 15 member UN Security Council, but failed to pass as Russia vetoed it.[14] At the UN Security Council, Albania cosponsored a resolution with the US for an emergency General Assembly session to be held regarding the invasion of Ukraine.[15][16] As it was a procedural vote, Russia's opposition did not affect the outcome and the resolution passed.[15][16] In a phone call with Prime minister Rama, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Albania's efforts and assistance to Ukraine.[17]

The name of a Tirana street where the Russian embassy is located was changed to "Free Ukraine" by Mayor Erion Veliaj.[18][19] In early March, Albania's honorary consulate in Kharkiv was shelled and destroyed by Russian forces, there were no casualties as its staff had evacuated the building.[20][21][19] A resolution was passed by the Albanian parliament supporting Ukraine and its borders.[19] Albania delivered military equipment to Ukraine for its combat operations opposing Russia.[22] In mid-March, Albania received 351 Ukrainian refugees with the government offering to house several thousand other Ukrainians.[23] Albania has allowed any Ukrainians entering the country to remain without visas and a resident's permit for up to a year.[23]

Resident diplomatic missions[edit]

  • Albania is accredited to Ukraine from its embassy in Warsaw, Poland.
  • Ukraine has an embassy in Tirana.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Міністерство закордонних справ України - A new level of bilateral relations: Ukraine has established an Embassy in Albania". mfa.gov.ua.
  2. ^ "Republic of Albania - List of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine - Embassy of Ukraine in the United States of America". Archived from the original on 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  3. ^ Kitsoft. "Міністерство закордонних справ України - Новий рівень двосторонніх відносин: Україна відкрила посольство в Албанії". mfa.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  4. ^ "Албанія відкриє посольство в Україні". Українська правда (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  5. ^ Hoxha, Enver (2011-12-17). With Stalin: Memoirs from My Meetings with Stalin. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1-4680-9699-6.
  6. ^ a b Biberaj, Elez (2015). "Albania: The Challenges of Transition". In Wolchik, Sharon L.; Leftwich Curry, Jane (eds.). Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 425. ISBN 9781442224223.
  7. ^ "Albanian President Strongly Condemns Russian Aggression in Ukraine". Albanian Daily News. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Kosovo Leaders Condemn Russian Attack, Affirm Solidarity With Ukraine". Prishtina Insight. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Minister Xhaçka Condemns Russia's Offense on Ukraine". Albanian Daily News. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Albania's UN Ambassador Condemns Russia's Attack on Kiev". Albanian Daily News. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  11. ^ "US, Albania call for UN vote Friday on resolution condemning Russia (Russia-Ukraine live updates)". Al Jazeera. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Live updates: Zelenskyy declines US offer to evacuate Kyiv". The Associated Press. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Albania Condemns Russian Recognition of Ukraine's Separatist Regions". Exit News. 22 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  14. ^ "UN heads towards vote to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine". The Australian. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b Lederer, Edith M. (28 February 2022). "UN to hold 2 meetings Monday on Russia's invasion of Ukraine". ABC News. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  16. ^ a b Falk, Pamela (28 February 2022). "U.N. General Assembly emergency session hears overwhelming global support for Ukraine". CBS News. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Zelensky: Spoke with Edi Rama over fight against Russia". Euro News. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Albania renames street in Tirana as Free Ukraine". Ekathimerini. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  19. ^ a b c Sinoruka, Fjori (8 March 2022). "Albanian Capital Renames Street by Russian Embassy 'Free Ukraine'". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Albania's Consulate in Kharkiv shelled in Russian missile attack". Euro News. 8 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  21. ^ "Russian Missiles Demolish Honorary Albanian Consulate in Kharkiv". Exit News. 7 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  22. ^ Qalliu, Bledar (17 March 2022). "Albania Sent Military Equipment to Ukraine". Exit News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Live updates: Ukraine, Russia continue talks over video". Miami Herald. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
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