Albania's Diplomatic Relations with the Soviet Union during 1949-1960
Authors: Xhaferri Manjola 
Published: June 2023

This paper corresponds to one of the most important periods of history relating to the national and international politics of the Albanian state, specifically the isolated political and state cooperation of Albania with the Soviet Union. The Albanian-Soviet relations were very important, as they determined not only the orientation of the Albanian internal politics but also externally the behavior that Albania had to maintain in the international arena, especially in its relationship with Western and neighboring allies. This paper specifically refers to the period from 1949, when Albanian-Soviet relations took their official form and capacity, until 1960 when these relations were destroyed. To better explain the reasons and causes for the establishment of these relations, many internal and external political situations have been touched upon, which go beyond the stated time limits of our study. The main goal of this paper is the analysis of the conditions in which these relations were established, and their unusual, bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, international, and military fields. Very important are the moments of establishing Albanian-Soviet relations, in their development and ending in the most peaceful way possible. According to Albanian-Soviet relations issues in the context of international relations and national security are very difficult, but on the other hand particularly interesting. As well as in the discipline of Security Studies, no writing is considered completely closed, because the past is related to the present, which determined the future. The purpose is enough and the three historical periods (past, present, and future) are quite well connected, without division. Our paper aims to approach this relationship from a new perspective of study, as to understand its true nature, which is also important in that, the authority that the Union Soviet exercised to oriented directly in the function of its interests. geostrategic, in investigating Albanian position. How much space was devoted to Albania in the international communist movement? How important was Albania for the Union Soviet? Not only the economic growth in the years 1950-1960, was an unusual phenomenon for the poor Albanian people, who came from a backward economic tradition, but also it was influential in the social development of Albanian society, housing, employment, health, the fight against illiteracy, Both education and culture, increased confidence in the communist government in Albania, which was part of perfect implementation of the Soviet model, not only politically but also socially. All the "Sovietization" of the Albanian state and society was away in the discipline of Security studies which, at that time, was used by the BS to realize its hegemony in the international arena. In conclusion, I would close with the phrase "Stalin was the political muse for Enver Hoxha this worship, who continued his policy until the end of his life and he refused to be destabilized. This turned out to be fatal both in relations with the Soviet Union and with all other countries and ended up in the greatest isolation of Albania until the regime fell in the year 1990 ”.

Received: 19 September 2022 / Accepted: 21 October 2022 / Published: 30 November 2022