ALBANIA: President Obama Offers Close Cooperation [27 March 2009]

Summary: President Obama's letter of gratitude to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha shows promise of  a stronger relationship between Washington and Tirana.

Development: To mark President Obama’s inauguration as the 44^th President of the United States, Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha sent an effusive congratulatory letter. Berisha noted that the Republic of Albania, being a parliamentary democracy, shares similar views with the US, and has pledged support for the War on Terror. Despite its old ties to Communist China and, before that to Stalinist-Communist rule, Albania now intensely pursues western ideals and lifestyles.

Analysis: President Obama’s statement of gratitude looks beyond the flowery diplomatic phrasing of Berisha’s letter and encourages a strong future relationship between the two nations. This may have implications for US-Russian relations, as Albania and other Former Yugoslavian states' move toward membership in NATO. The Republic of Albania has shown support for NATO expeditions and continues to move towards achieving full membership which is expected to occur on NATO’s 60^th birthday this coming April. As more members of the Former Yugoslavia ally with the United States and NATO, displeasure is bound to grow in Russia and her allies.

[Avalon Dillon]