Eng. / Alb. / Fr.

NATO’s relations with Albania

How did relations with Albania evolve?

NATO-Albania relations date back to 1992, when Albania joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (later renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997). Relations expanded when Albania joined the Partnership for Peace in 1994. Albania played an important role in supporting Allied efforts to end the humanitarian tragedy in Kosovo and secure the peace after the air campaign. Bilateral cooperation has developed progressively in light of the country’s membership aspirations and its participation in the Membership Action Plan since April 1999. Political and public support for accession to NATO has always been very high (supported by well over 95 per cent of the population). In April 2008, Albania was invited to start accession talks with the Alliance. NATO Allies signed accession protocols with Albania on 9 July 2008 and the ratification process is ongoing.

NATO HQ Tirana, which was established in 2002 to contribute to the command and control of KFOR, also provides advice, assistance and support to the Albanian government in its defence reforms efforts.  

Key milestones

1992 Albania joins the newly created North Atlantic Cooperation Council, renamed the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997
1994 Albania joins the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
1996 Albanian forces join the NATO-led SFOR peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
1999 NATO establishes a logistical base in Tirana to support Allied operations in Kosovo.
2000 Albania hosts the PfP exercise “Adventure Express” in April and “Cooperative Dragon” in June.
2001 Albania hosts the initial phase of the PfP exercise “Adventure Express 01” in April and May.
2002 NATO HQ Tirana is established to assist Albania in the implementation of its defence capability reforms as well as to contribute to the command and control of KFOR.
2003 Albanian forces deploy in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
2005 Albania joins the Operational Capabilities Concept.
  A combined medical team of the three MAP countries joins NATO-led forces in Afghanistan in August.
  Albania hosts the PfP exercise “Cooperative Engagement 05” in September.
2007 Albania hosts a meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Policy Advisory Group of the EAPC in May.
  Albania hosts the PfP exercises “Cooperative Longbow 07” and “Cooperative Lancer 07”.
2008 In April 2008, Albania is invited to start accession talks with the Alliance.
  NATO Allies signed accession protocols with Albania on 9 July 2008.