Canada-Albania relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Operations
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Albania fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Canada and Albania established diplomatic relations in 1987.  Bilateral relations are positive though modest on the commercial front. As partners in the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Canada and Albania enjoy strong trans-Atlantic relationship. The Canada and Albania relationship centres on modest Canadian commercial investment in Albania and their partnership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Canada supports Albania’s full integration in European bodies.

Canada’s ambassador to Italy is also accredited to Albania, while a consulate in Tirana, headed by an honorary consul, assists with Canadian interests in Albania. Immigration and visa applications by Albanians are processed by the Citizenship, Immigration and Refugees Canada office at the Canadian embassy in Rome. The office’s staff members visit Albania periodically to interview candidates.

Trade relations

Canada’s bilateral merchandise trade with Albania is relatively limited, totalling $58.6 million in 2020. Canadian merchandise exports to Albania in 2020 were valued at $48.3 million and consisted mainly of machinery, vehicles, fish and seafood, meat, transport equipment and iron and steel products. Canadian imports from Albania were valued at $10.1 million in 2020 and mainly included footwear, iron and steel, and apparel.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Albania

Operations

Between 2004 and 2014, Albania participated in Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP). MTCP is a program that trains officers from participating countries in the areas of language skills (both English and French), peace support operations, civil military matters, staff duties, and professional development. Albania is no longer eligible for the program as a result of joining NATO, and the bilateral defence relationship is now mainly conducted through shared NATO membership.

In June 2017, Albania deployed 18 troops to the Canada-led NATO multinational mission to Latvia. Canada has also provided assistance to Albania in an anti-personnel mine destruction program and has contributed expertise and training to help the Albanian military destroy some 10,000 tonnes of small arms and light-weapons ammunition.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Albania work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• La Francophonie
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)