Albania–Taiwan relations
Albania |
Taiwan |
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Albania–Taiwan relations are the bilateral relations between Albania (formally the Republic of Albania) and Taiwan (formally the Republic of China). The two sides do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, nor do they have representative offices with embassy functions in each other’s capitals. Affairs related to Albania are handled by the Taipei Representative Office in Italy.[1]
History
Albania was one of the main sponsors of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 in 1971, which recognized the People's Republic of China as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations" and expelled the Republic of China. This stance made Albania strongly opposed to Taiwan throughout the Cold War period.[2]
On 25 October 1971, the UN voted on the Albanian Resolution co-sponsored by 23 countries, to restore the PRC’s rights. The resolution passed with 76 votes in favor, 35 against, and 17 abstentions, leading to the adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The ROC delegation, led by Foreign Minister Chow Shu-kai, withdrew from the UN before the vote.[3]
On 12 May 1999, a group of Albanian parliamentarians founded the "Albania–Taiwan Friendship Association", including members from multiple parties and academics, to promote closer ties.[4]
In 2015, Albanian parliamentary leader Dashamir Shehi visited Taiwan.[5]
Commercial relations
In March 1990, Taiwan opened direct trade with Albania, followed by investment liberalization in April of that year. The Executive Yuan also approved measures on financial transactions, communications, and air transport links.[6]
Bilateral trade has fluctuated over the years. In 2023, Taiwan exported $17.4 million to Albania. Main exports from Taiwan to Albania are polymers, diagnostic reagents, rice, steel fasteners, automobile parts, and smartphones, and main imports are textiles, knitwear, leather footwear, fish products, electrical cables, and bottled water from Albania to Taiwan.[7]
Exchanges
In November 2013, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) organized a delegation to participate in international fairs held in Tirana, Albania’s largest comprehensive trade exhibition, held at the Parliament Building.[8]
In November 2014, the president of the Albanian Chamber of Commerce visited Taiwan for the first time, meeting TAITRA officials to initiate economic dialogue.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Taipei Representative Office in Italy". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "《中華民國89年外交年鑑》〈第三章 中外關係〉" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 2017-02-12.
- ^ United Nations (1971-12-31). Yearbook of the United Nations 1971. United Nations. pp. 126–128, 136. ISBN 978-92-1-060198-6. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ Sung, Catherine; Zekolli, Arsim (December 13, 1999). "Association says Albania in tug-of-war over Taiwan". Taipei Times. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "2015.3.25_MOE Dr. Lucia S. Lin, Political Deputy Minister, received Hon. Dashamir Shehi, Member of Economic and Financial Committee, Albanian Parliament". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan). Retrieved 2017-02-12.
- ^ Baron, James (2023-12-07). "Albania, China, and Taiwan: A History of Tangled Relations". The News Lens. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "近二年我國對當地出口主要產品" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Taiwan External Trade Development Council. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
- ^ "台商首次參與阿爾巴尼亞博覽會" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Taipei Times. 2013-11-26. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ 諶怡如 (2014-12-10). "阿爾巴尼亞商業總會訪臺 拓展雙邊交流" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Trade Insight. Retrieved 10 September 2025.