| 1998 | : | More than 13,000 refugees flee into Albania after the eruption in February of civil war between the Serbian police and army and the ethnic Albanian separatist Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the neighbouring province of Kosovo. |
| 1999 | : | During the 78 days of NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, about 450,000 of a total 750,000 Kosovar refugees flee into Albania. That figure is equal to almost 15% of Albania’s total population. The hostilities turn Albania into a key operational theatre for international relief agencies and NATO forces in Albania, called Kosovo Force (KFOR), which launch a humanitarian relief operation. |
| 2000-2003 | : | A “quick start” package is launched within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, the 28-nation agreement signed in 1999 to restore peace, stability, and prosperity to the region. (2001) The large ethnic Albanian minority in neighbouring Macedonia stages an armed rebellion. |
| 2003-2006 | : | Albania opens negotiations with the European Commission on a Stabilization and Association Agreement, the first step towards membership of the European Union. In Tiran, more than 2,000 people hold a “people’s marathon” to celebrate the beatification of Mother Teresa, who was born to Albanian parents in what is now the Republic of Macedonia. (2006) A Stabilisation and Association Agreement is signed between Albania and the European Union. |
| 2007-2013 | : | US President George W. Bush visited Albania, the first sitting US President to do so. (2008) An explosion in a badly-maintained arms depot causes 16 deaths and over 300 injured, damaging Tirana airport. (2009) Albania joins NATO and submit application for membership in the European Union. (2010) The European Union rejects Albania’s request for EU candidate status, but visa are liberalized. The ongoing political crisis was one of the reason of the refusal of granting Albania official candiday status. (2012) November – The remains of former King Zog are repatriated to Albania from France, where he died in 1961. (2013) Socialist leader Edi Rama becomes prime minister. A decision on making Albania a candidate is expected to be made at the European Council in December. |
(Source: Wikipedia.org)
