The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs () is a department of the Albanian Government, in charge of diplomacy, foreign policy and the process of admission of Albania into the European Union. The ministry also provides support to Albanian citizens residing abroad. In September 2017, the ministry was restructured and it was merged with the Ministry of European Integration.

History

Establishment The establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the modern Albanian state dates back to the creation of the Provisional Government of Vlora on December 4, 1912, a few days after declaring Albania's secession from the Ottoman Empire. The Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, Ismail Qemali, also held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs until June 1913. Later this function passed to Myfit Bey Libohova who exercised it until the end of January 1914. The MFA in this period functioned as a section of the Provisional Government, with the main objective ensuring the recognition of Albania's independence from the Great Powers at the London Conference of Ambassadors. To accomplish this goal were also accomplished the first diplomatic services as was the diplomatic deployment of the Government of Vlora at the Ambassadorial Conference, headed by the personal diplomat of the Prime Minister, which was Rasih Dino.

1914–1920

On March 7, 1914, the German prince Wilhelm Friedrich Heinrich arrives in Durrës. The Prince of Albania appointed on 17 March 1914 the "definitive government". The first Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the newly recognized Albanian state was Turhan Pashë Përmeti, former ambassador of the Ottoman Empire in Saint Petersburg. Turhan Pasha remained foreign minister until May 28, 1914, later replaced by Prenk Bib Doda and the latter, after July, was followed by Mehmet Konica.*

Since Italy and Austria-Hungary were the authors of the formula for recognition of Albania's independence, Captain Castoldi, an Italian officer, was "commanded" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic missions. He and the Austrian diplomat Carl Buchberger formed the prince's political cabinet. The first official Albanian diplomatic representation was established in Vienna, represented by Syrja bey Vlora, and in Rome, represented by Myfid bej Libohova. The government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania operated until the eve of the First World War in September 1914. On September 3, Prince William of Wied left Albania and the country turned into a theater of war in the Balkan states and the Great Powers.

1920–1925

In January 1920, in Lushnje, at the initiative of Albanian patriots and intellectuals of the time, a Congress was convened with representatives from all the liberated provinces of Albania, which would elect Albanian national government away from Italian influences. On January 30, 1920, the Albanian national government was created, with a broad support base.

Its prime minister was Sulejman Delvina and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehmet Konica.Lufta e popullit shqiptar per çlirimin kombetar, 1918–1920 ..., Volume 2 By Muin Çami page 64 () Since the Peace Conference in Paris left unresolved recognition of the independence and borders of Albania, as set forth in 1913, Foreign Minister Konica immediately embarked on the key European chancellors of the time to secure their support in reaching a decision-making for Albania. To build a foreign professional service, with a special decision of the Council of Ministers, in October 1920, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M.Konica, was asked to find a consul from the old Austrian consuls to be hired for a 2-year period for organizing Albanian consulates and serving as teachers for those who wanted to enter the consular service of Albania. Then, in August 1921, the National Council (parliament), upon the proposal of the Foreign Policy Committee, decided to open the Albanian consulates in Brindisi, Trieste and Florence.

Officeholders (1912–present) 1Ismail Qemali4 December 191222 January 19142Turhan Pasha Përmeti14 March 191420 May 19143Prenk Bib Doda28 May 19143 September 19144Pavli Terka5 October 191427 January 1916*Mehmed Konica→ Mehdi Frashëri25 December 191829 January 19205Mehmed Konica30 January 1920 14 November 1920 6Ilias Vrioni 15 November 19201 July 1921 7Pandeli Evangjeli 11 July 19216 December 19218Fan Noli 6 December 192112 December 19219Xhafer Villa12 December 192124 December 1921–Fan Noli24 December 192111 September 1922–Pandeli Evangjeli11 September 1922 25 February 1924–Ilias Vrioni3 March 1924 10 June 192410Sulejman Delvina16 June 192424 December 192411Gjergj Koleci→ Mufid Libohova6 January 192531 January 192512Mufid Libohova1 February 192523 September 192513Hysen Vrioni28 September 192510 February 1927–Ilias Vrioni12 February 192718 April 192914Rauf Fico18 April 192911 April 1931–Hysen Vrioni20 April 19317 December 1932–Xhafer Villa11 January 193316 October 193515Fuad Asllani21 October 19357 November 193616Ekrem Libohova9 November 19367 April 1939*Mihal Sherko8 April 1939 12 April 193917Xhemil Dino12 April 193925 May 1939–Mehmed Konica5 November 19437 February 194418Bahri Omari7 February 194416 June 1944*Omer Nishani28 May 194411 January 194619Eqrem Vlora18 July 194428 August 1944*Ibrahim Biçaku6 September 194425 November 194420Omer Nishani23 October 19449 February 194621Enver Hoxha9 February 194631 July 195322Behar Shtylla1 August 1953 16 March 196623Nesti Nase17 March 196615 June 198224Reis Malile15 June 198221 February 199125Muhamet Kapllani22 February 19916 December 199126Ilir Boçka18 December 199113 April 199227Alfred Serreqi13 April 199210 July 199628Tritan Shehu11 July 19961 March 199729Arian Starova11 March 199724 July 199730Paskal Milo25 July 19976 September 200131Arta Dade6 September 200125 July 2002 32Ilir Meta29 July 2002 18 July 200333Kastriot Islami29 December 200310 September 200534Besnik Mustafaj11 September 200530 April 200735Lulzim Basha1 May 200717 September 2009–Ilir Meta17 September 200914 September 201036Edmond Haxhinasto17 September 2010 2 July 201237Edmond Panariti3 July 20124 April 201338Aldo Bumçi4 April 201315 September 201339Ditmir Bushati15 September 201318 January 201940Edi Rama→ Gent Cakaj22 January 201931 December 202041Olta Xhaçka4 January 20219 September 202342Igli Hasani12 September 202319 September 202543Elisa Spiropali19 September 202526 February 202644Ferit Hoxha26 February 2026Incumbent

Notes

See also Foreign relations of Albania

References