The United States and Albania commemorate the 101st anniversary of their official diplomatic relations.
In a message shared on social media, the U.S. Embassy highlighted: “Today, marks the 101st anniversary of the official establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Albania. Official diplomatic ties between our countries began on July 28, 1922, shortly after the conclusion of the Paris Peace Conference, where U.S. President Wilson stood by the Albanian people for your independence and sovereignty. Last year, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we celebrated the close friendship between our two nations, highlighting the strong strategic alliance between the United States and Albania. U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a special message of hope for continued cooperation and for an even brighter future to the Albanian people. Here’s to many more years of friendship and cooperation!”
The Embassy also recollected President Joe Biden’s message to the Albanian people in 2022, honoring the 100th anniversary of these relations.
“To all the people of Albania, I send my best wishes and enduring friendship of the United States. When the United States defended Albania’s independence after World War I, it launched a lasting friendship between our people, a shared love of liberty and of the values of democracy that was never broken even when the people of Albania endured decades of dictatorship. May our two nations continue to build all that we have accomplished together and deliver a brighter and more hopeful future for our children,” expressed Biden in his message at that time.
Meanwhile, the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, extended his felicitations on the 101st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States of America.
In a message published on social media, Begaj expressed that the U.S. has been and will remain Albania’s strategic ally on their Euro-Atlantic journey.
“On this 101st anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with the United States, we take pride in witnessing the ever-strengthening bonds between our nations! Throughout history, the United States has consistently stood by our side, supporting us in all our major endeavors and achievements, and for this, we are eternally grateful. Happy 101st anniversary of friendship with the U.S., the paramount strategic partner of Albania and the Albanian people,” conveyed the President.
Prime Minister Edi Rama also commemorated the 101st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the United States.
In a Facebook post featuring the flags of Albania and the U.S., Rama emphasizes that the two countries are “friends and allies”.
Diplomatic relations between Albania and the U.S. commenced on July 28, 1922, just a few months after the conclusion of the Peace Conference in Paris, where American President Wilson supported the country.
The first American Ambassador to Tirana was Ulysses Grant Smith, who began the diplomatic mission on December 4, 1922.
The first Albanian Ambassador to Washington was Faik Konica, appointed to this position in 1929 by Ahmet Zogu.
Later, the U.S. Embassy in Tirana closed on September 16, 1939, and the freezing of relations continued during Enver Hoxha’s rule.
Diplomatic relations between the United States and Albania were restored on March 15, 1991, after a 52-year hiatus. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana opened on October 1, 1991, with Christopher Hill as Chargé d’affaires, followed by Ambassador William Edwin Ryerson, who presented his credentials to the Albanian government on December 21, 1991.
In the historic ceremony in 1991 for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, which restored diplomatic relations between the two countries, the then-Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Raymond G.H. Seitz stated “our relationship begins with the early years of this century, when President [Woodrow] Wilson gave American support to the new Albanian state. The relationship was never forgotten by thousands of Americans of Albanian origin … who maintained contact with their homeland throughout these years”.
On June 11, 1991, former Secretary of State James A. Baker III became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Albania after a long period of isolation. Since then, U.S.-Albania relations have advanced and strengthened, and Albania has become one of America’s most steadfast allies, especially in the global fight against terrorism.
