The United States of America is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 9.8 million km2, with a population of over 325 million people the United States is the world’s third -most populous country in the world. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries.

The United States has a very diverse population; 37 ancestry groups have more than one million members. German Americans are the largest ethnic group more than 50 million, followed by Irish Americans, 37 million, Mexican Americans, 31 million and English Americans 28 million.

The United States is the world’s oldest surviving federation. It is a representative democracy, “in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law”. The government is regulated by a system of checks and balances defined by the U.S. Constitution, which serves as the country’s supreme legal document.

In the American federalist system, citizens are usually subject to three levels of government: federal, state, and local. The local government’s duties are commonly split between county and municipal governments. In almost all cases, executive and legislative officials are elected by a plurality vote of citizens by district. There is no proportional representation at the federal level, and it is rare at lower levels.

The United States has a capitalist mixed economy which is fueled by abundant natural resources and high productivity. The United States is the world’s largest economy. The United States is a major driver of the global economy and a world leader in terms of international trade and investment, innovation and new technologies, research and development expenditure, stock market capitalization and its share of large global corporations.

The US is one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

 

Bilateral relations Albania – USA

 

OVERVIEW

The relations between Albanians and the United States date back to the late 19th century, when the first Albanian immigrants reached American soil. Thanks to the efforts of the Albanian community in America, President Wilson became acquainted with the Albanian national cause and gave his support to a save he salvation of Albania from territorial fragmentation at the Peace Conference in Paris (1919-1920).

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on July 28, 1922. They were interrupted with the beginning of World War II and restored on March 15, 1991, with the end of the Cold War and the opening of Albania to the west.

 

Bilateral relations

Relations with the U.S. are of primary and strategic importance. The level of bilateral relations is considered excellent. The Joint Declaration on Albania-US Strategic Partnership, signed on April 20, 2015, clearly reflects partnership relations between the two countries and materializes cooperation with a concrete and comprehensive calendar. This document focuses on the partnership between the two countries in three areas: partnership on global issues, partnership on regional issues and partnership on the bilateral agenda – political dialogue, security, strengthening of the rule of law in Albania, economic development, energy security as well as educational and cultural exchanges.

Albania and United Stated have signed a number of very important agreements as: the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the USA and the Council of Ministers of Republic of Albania on 4G and 5G Security, the Memorandum of Economic Cooperation, the Cultural Property Agreement.

Albanian diaspora in USA, well integrated in the USA society, fuels a bold and indispensable link and an important factor in strengthening the relations and cooperation between two countries.

Nowadays the strategic partnership with the US constitutes the bond for solidarity and support, as it was the case in aftermath of the earthquake in Albania, the global pandemic, the accommodation of Afghan citizens in Albania, close cooperation in the UNSC to address challenges of world peace and security. Cooperation with the United States in the UNSC has become stronger after the unjustified and unprovoked Russian aggression towards Ukraine, where Albania is co-penholder with the US on Ukraine.

The two countries are NATO allies. Albania supports the ‘open doors’ policy of NATO, which serves the democratic development and good neighborly relations, as well as the increase of security and national and regional stability.

Albania has gave its contribution to peacekeeping missions, standing side by side with US, as in Afghanistan and actually is hosting for a transitional period Afghan refugees whose lives are threatened by the security situation there.

Earlier this year, Albania was the main host of the largest U.S.-led military exercise in the Balkans since World War II, Defender 2021.

Albania was among the first countries to join the international coalition against terrorism and ISIL under the U.S. leadership and provides an active contribution to this coalition.

We appreciate vocal and consistent US support for the well-deserved advancement of Albania on the integration process. We, also, highly appreciate the dedication of President Biden and the US administration to remain engaged in our region and welcome US-EU cooperation to the benefit of resolving open issues in the Western Balkans.

The Albanian government is highly committed to being a firm and reliable partner of the U.S. in terms of democratic development, preservation of stability, peace and prosperity in our region and beyond, the consolidation of the market economy, the fight against terrorism, protection of human rights.