Political relations.
Diplomatic relations between Albania and Austria were established since 3 December 1913, when then Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Austro Hungarian Monarchy decided to open three consulates in Albania: Shkodër, Durrës and Vlora. After the First World War, diplomatic relations were established between Albania and the Republic of Austria, in 22 February 1922. After the Second World War these relations were re-established on 7 February 1956. Since then, until 1991 the Republic of Austria has been represented to Albania by the Ambassador resident in Belgrade. In August 1991, Austrian Government assigned its Ambassador to Albania, resident in Vienna. He presented Letters of Credence in September 1991.
Relations between Albania and Austria developed intensively through high level visits meetings between political leaders of two countries. A fruitful cooperation has been present also in the framework of international organisations, where Albania and Austria are members. In January 1992, Austria granted to Albania the status of the Most Favoured nation by which the relations experienced a new impetus in all fields, political, economic and trade. 19 bilateral agreements have been signed. After Austria became a member of the European Union, she has supported continuously the efforts of Albania towards European integration. First for concluding the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union, for visa liberalisation for the Albanian citizens and for official candidate status of Albania for Membership into European Union. Economic Cooperation During the period 1991-1995, Austrian government has supported Albania through Austrian Program for Humanitarian Assistance.
Establishment of the ADA (Austrian Development Agency) coordination office in Tirana in 1995, gave a new impetus and a long term perspective to the relations between two countries. After 1996-1997, the activity of the ADA and other Austrian partners was focused in the Northern areas of Albania aiming at narrowing the gap in socio-economic development of different regions of the country. Technical and Financial Cooperation Programme, as a continuation of the Humanitarian Assistance had a positive impact as it enabled the financing of different projects.
Economic cooperation
Granting of Most Favoured Nation Status, signing of numerous economic agreements, increased interest on the side of Austrian private business companies to invest in Albania, laid down solid foundations for steady growth in economic cooperation between two countries. So far six rounds of the Joint Economic State Commission have been held to take stock of the progress made and planning for future development. Economic cooperation includes projects of assistance focused on water management, energy, hydropower, education and culture. Implementation of the projects is done by private Austrian companies. Often, financed in the framework of the EU assistance. Chamber of Economy and Commerce of both countries has played an instrumental role in further enhancing trade and economic relations. Relations of Albania with Austria are considered of strategic importance, based on mutual interest.
Cooperation in the field of Education, Culture and Science
Agreements signed in the fields of education, culture and scientific cooperation bear testimony to the importance that is attached by the Governments to develop relations in that field. 1-Agreement between Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and Government of the Republic of Austria for the cooperation in the field of culture, education and science, signed on 31.10.2005, and entered into power on 01.11.2006 2-Protocol of the Meeting of mixed Albanian-Austrian commission for the cooperation in the field of culture, education and science for the years 2007-2010, signed on 28.06.22007 In the field of education Austria has contributed through different projects, most important of them was the opening of the technical professional school (HTL) in 2006, in Shkodër. The school is based on an Austrian curricula and run by Austrian teachers. Following this positive experience, Albanian Government with the assistance of the Government of Austria, developed a similar project in Tirana. There is an active cooperation in the field of culture as well. Different theatres from Albania have performed successfully in Volkstheater in Vienna. Albanian Language teaching in Austria.
Vienna University has established a centre for learning languages (Sprachzentrum) in 2011. this centre, among others, offers lectures in learning Albanian Language. In Vienna, courses for learning Albanian language are offered also by “Volkshochschule”, in Bigittenau, Meidling and Favoriten. Stadtschulrat für Wien enables lessons in mother tongue from elementary school to gymnasium. During the academic year 2004-2005 University of Graz conducted a training course in translation Albanian –German-Albanian.
Publication about Albania in Austria
A group of scholars from the University of Graz composed of historians Karl Kaser, Robert Pichler dhe Kurt Gostentschnigg were involved in earlier publication about Albania, including: 1995. Helmut Eberhart /Karl Kaser (publisher). Albanien. Stammesleben zwischen Tradition und Moderne. Publishing House Böhlau Wien ∙ Köln ∙ Weimar. 1996.
Fatos Baxhaku / Karl Kaser. Die stammesgesellschaften Nordalbaniens. Berichte und Forschungen österreichischer Konsuln und Gelehter (1861-1917). Publishing House Böhlau. 2003. P. Jordan, K. Kaser, Walter Lukan, Stefanie Schwandner-Sievers dhe Holm Sundhaussen – Albanien. Geographie, historische Anthropologie, Geschichte, Kultur, Postkommunistische Transformation. Publishing House “Peter Lang”, Frankfurt am Main.
Institut für Indogermanistik, as part of Institut für Sprachwissenschaft, where Dr. Joachim Matzinger has conducted research and published as follows: 2006.Der altalbanische Text [E] Mbsuame e Krështerë (Dottrina Cristiana) des Lekë Matrënga von 1592, eine Einführung in die albanische Sprachwissenschaft, Dettelbach, p. 316, Publilshing House J. H. Röll, Dettelbach. This is a research on the work of Lekë Matrëngës. -Grundzüge der nominalen Wortbildung des Altalbanischen im Seelsor-gehandbuch des Gjon Buzuku (1555). Die Wortbildungsmuster des sekundären Wortschatzes. 2005. In cooperation with Prof. Dr. Monica Genesin: Albanologische und balkano¬logische Studien.
Festschrift für Wilfried Fiedler,Hamburg. P. 307 Publishing House Dr. Kovač. 2009. In cooperation with Prof. Dr. Monica Genesin: Nordalbanien – L’Albania del Nord. Linguistisch-kulturhistorische Erkundungen in einem unbekannten Teil Europas. Contributi linguistici e culturali su un’area sconosciuta dell’Europa, Hamburg, p. 199 Publishing House Dr. Kovač. 2010. In cooperation with Prof. Dr. Monica Genesin & Prof. Dr. Giancarlo Vallone: The Living Skanderbeg. The Albanian Hero between Myth and History,Ham¬burg, 319 p. Publishing House Dr. Kovač.
Dr. Ina Arapi, meaningful research on the ancient gege authors and has published her dissertation theses as a complete monography. 2010.Der Gebrauch von Infinitiv und Konjunktiv im Altalbanischen mit Ausblick auf das Rumänische, Hamburg, p. 330 Publishing House Dr. Kovač. 2014. Die altlabanischen Verben (Verbs of Ancient Albanian), Publishing House Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden, presented on 6 march 2014, outcome of a 4 year project of FWF, directed by S. Schumacher in cooperation with J.Matzinger. This publication is special kind of a dictionary of Albanian ancient verbs together with their characteristic grammar and their etymology. The Austrian Academy of Science published in 1993 an overview of the historical grammar of the Albanian Language by Prof. Shaban Demiraj. 1996. Wien und die albanischen Schriftsteller. Schriftsteller aus Ost-, Ostmittel -und Südosteuropa über die Stadt Wien. 2011. Academy has published, translated into German, the work with the title : Hava und Sali Hidri. Die frühchristliche Basilika in Arapaj / Durrës (Albanien). Publisher Prof. Renate Pillinger. This is work of particular importance, the first from Albanian arcelogist published in Austria. An important publication includes Albania philately: 2001. Felix Gamillscheg. So entstand Albanien. Dokumentiert in seinen Briefmarken. Publilshing House Pollischansky, Vjenë, philatelist work, through which is reflected the establishment and consolidation of the Albanian state.
