Albania • Shqipëria

28.11.1912: independence proclaimed: Albania • Shqipëri
29.07.1913: internationally recognized
07.03.1914: Principality of Albania • Principata Shqiptare
1915-1920: foreign occupations (Montenegrine, Italian, Austro-Hungarian, French)
03.06.1917-06.1920: Italian protectorate
17.12.1920: member of League of Nations
09.11.1921: independence recognized by Great Powers
22.01.1925: Republic of Albania • Republika Shqiptare
01.09.1928: Kingdom of Albania • Mbretëri Shqiptare
16.04.1939: Italian protectorate
09.09.1943: Albania • Shqipni (under German occupation)
29.11.1944: liberated by partizan forces
11.01.1946: People's Republic of Albania • Republika Popullore e Shqipërisë
14.12.1955: member of United Nations
28.12.1976: People's-Socialist Republic of Albania • Republika Popullore Socialiste e Shqipërisë
20.04.1991: Republic of Albania • Republika e Shqipërisë
01.04.2009: (planned) member of NATO

Area: 28,748 km²
Population: 1,040,000 (1938), 1,626,300 (1960), 3,544,808 (2004)
Capital: Tirana (till 1920 Durrës)
Currency: 1926 frang ar = 5 lekë = 100 qindar ar = 500 qindar leku → 1946 lek (ALL, L) = 100 qindarkë
GDP per capita: 5,300 $ (2005)
Ethnic groups: Albanian 94, Aromanian 3, Greek 2% (1989)
Official language: Albanian (Tosk dialect)

Merchant marine: 23 ships (1,000 grt or over): 50,402 grt/75,798 dwt (2005)
Coastline: 362 km
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive fishery zones: 200 m shelf
Exclusive economic zone: not claimed
Waterways: 43 km

Military service age and obligation: compulsory, 19 years of age
Military expenditures: 1.5 % of GDP (2002)

President: Bamir Myrteza Topi (24.07.2007)
Prime Minister: Sali Ram Berisha (11.09.2005)
Defence Minister: Gazmend Nuri Oketa (22.03.2008)
Chief of Staff: Glt. Luan Hoxha (13.10.2006)

1913-1915 | 1926-1939 | since 1945
Coast Guard | Customs Office | Border Police

Major wars & other armed conflicts

06.12.1915: declared war on Central Powers
06-08.1920: "Valona conflict" with Italy
07-14.04.1939: conquered by Italian forces (Albanian ships not involved, but crews fought on land).
10.1940: declared war on Greece (along with Italy), formally till 08.1987
17.12.1941: declared war on United States (as subject of Italy)
1941-1944: partizan war with Italians (till 1943) and Germans.
26.10.1944: declared war on Germany and Japan
07.1945: some coastal incidents with Greek patrol boats
15.05.1946: "Corfu incident" with Royal Navy
10.02.1947: peace treaty with Italy signed.


Naval ForcesForcat Detare
» List of vessels «

www.navy.mil.al

05.1913-1915/16: tiny navy, based on boats given by Turks leaving Scutari fortress
25.12.1925: first warships acquired after WW I
24.06.1928: naval command established (Komanda e Marinës)
06.11.1929: navy (Fllota Ushtarake) formally established (as part of Royal Armed Forces • Ushtrija e Mbretit)
1939/40-1945: no naval forces; Albanian ships crimped by Italians (in 1939 or 1940)
15.08.1945: Marina Luftarake
22.06.1956: Flota Luftarake Detare
1992/93-1997: Forcat e Mbrojtjës Detare Shqiptare
03-06.1997: internal anarchy; 23 naval vessels retreat to Italy (all get back in 11-12.1997)
11.1997-02.1999: navy reorganised (territorial sea guarded by Guardia di Finanza)
1998: Forcat Detare (Shqiptare)

Commander: 1. Kpt. Kristaq Gerveni (03.2005)
Personnel: 17+124 (1938), 1500 (1960), 1660 (1961), 1920 (1962), 2020 (1964), 2700 (1974), 3000 (1978;1982), 3200 (1986, incl. 400 coastal defence), 3300 (1989: 1400 afloat, 400 coastal defence, 500 training, 1000 shore support), 1500-1600 (1992), 400+2600 (1995), 400+2900 (1996, incl. 350 coastal defence), 1500-2000 (2002), 500+1650 (2004)
Prefix to ships' names: GjMD (Gjuajtësi e Madh Detar)
Organisation: since 1997 two military districts: Distrikti 1 Detar (D1D) & Distrikti 2 Detar (D2D); former (since 1968) 66. and 52. Flotilja Luftarake Detare.
Main bases: Pashaliman, Bisht i Pallës, Saranda.
Coastal artillery: 6x Hai Ying II rocket batteries (as in 1992)
Education: Naval Military Academy (Shkolla e Trupës së Forcave Detare) in Vlorë (since 1960).
Foreign bases: 1955-06.1961 Soviet naval base in Pashaliman; since 1997 - Italian navy at Sazan, and customs (Guardia di Finanza) at Durrës.

Ensigns

11.1912-03.1914:

03-09.1914:

09.1914-04.1915:

04.1915-02.1916:

1916-1920 (de facto):

1920-1928:

1928-1934:

1934-1939:

1939-1943:

1943-1944:

1944-1946:

1946-1954:

1954-1958:

1958-1992:



Since 1992:


Ranks insignia

1929-1939:


1947/1950-1966:


1966-1991: ranks abolished.

1991-2000:

Since 2000:
Map


Sovereign Prince (Princ Sovran e Shqipnisë):
03.1914-09.1914 Wilhelm zu Wied
Chairman of the General Council (Kryetar i Këshillit të Përgjithshëm të Senatit Shqiptar):
09.1914-10.1914 Mustafa bej Ndroqi
Heads of State:
10.1914-02.1916 Gjen. Esat pashë Toptani
02.1916-01.1920 foreign occupation (different governments)
01.1920-01.1925 High Council (Këshilli i Lartë)
President (Presidenti i Parë):
01.1925-09.1928 Amet Xhemal bej Zogu
Kings (Mbret i Shqiptarëve, 1939 i Shqipërisë):
09.1928-04.1939 Zog I (Skënderbeg III)
04.1939-09.1943 Vittorio Emanuele III (king of Italy)
Chairman of Provisional Executive Committee (Kryetar i Komitetit Ekzekutiv të Përkohshëm):
09.1943-10.1943 Ibrahim bej Biçaku
Chairman of High Council of Regency (Kryetar i Këshillit të Lartë të Regjencës):
10.1943-10.1944 Mehdi bej Frashëri
Chairman of Presidium of Antifascist Council of National Liberation (Kryetar i Presidiumit së Këshillit Antifashist Nacional-Çlirimtar):
09.1944-01.1946 Omer Nishani
Chairmen of the Presidium of the People's Assembly (Kryetar i Presidiumit të Kuvendit Popullor)
01.1946-08.1953 Omer Nishani
08.1953-11.1982 Glt. Haxhi Lleshi
11.1982-04.1991 Ramiz Tafë Alia
Presidents (President i Republikës së Shqipërisë):
04.1991-04.1992 Ramiz Tafë Alia
04.1992-07.1997 Sali Ram Berisha
07.1997-07.2002 Rexhep Kemal Mejdani
07.2002-07.2007 Gjen. Alfred Spiro Moisiu
07.2007- Bamir Myrteza Topi

First Secretaries of the Albanian Party of Labour:
02.1943-04.1985 Enver Halil Hoxha
04.1985-05.1991 Ramiz Tafë Alia

Prime Ministers (Kryeministër):
11.1912-01.1914 Ismail Qemali bej
01.1914-03.1914 Fevzi bej Alizoti
03.1914-09.1914 Turhan pashë Përmeti
10.1914-02.1916 Gjen. Esat pashë Toptani
02.1916-12.1918 Abduallah Rushdi (in exile, France)
12.1918-01.1920 Turhan pashë Përmeti
02.1920-11.1920 Sulejman bej Delvinë
12.1920-10.1921 Iljas bej Vrioni
10.1921-12.1921 Pandeli Evangjeli
12.1921 Qazim Koculi
12.1921 Hasan bej Prishtinë
12.1921 Idhomen Kosturi
12.1921-01.1922 Omer pashë Vrioni
01.1922-12.1922 Xhafer bej Ypi
12.1922-03.1924 Ahmet Xhemal bej Zogolli
03.1924-06.1924 Shevqet bej Vërlaci
06.1924 Iljas bej Vrioni
06.1924-12.1924 bishop Theofan (Fan) Sterian Noli
12.1924-01.1925 Iljas bej Vrioni
First Ministers:
01.1925-09.1925 Petro Poga
09.1925-02.1927 Milto Tutulani
02.1927-10.1927 Petro Poga
10.1927-05.1928 Iljas bej Vrioni
05.1928-09.1928 Hiqmet bej Delvinë
Prime Ministers:
09.1928-03.1930 Koço Kotta
03.1930-10.1935 Pandeli Evangjeli
10.1935-11.1936 Mehdi Frashëri
11.1936-04.1939 Koço Kotta
04.1939-12.1941 Shevqet bej Vërlaci
12.1941-01.1943 Mustafa Merlika Krujë
01.1943-02.1943 Ekrem bej Libohovë
02.1943-05.1943 Maliq bej Bushati
05.1943-09.1943 Ekrem bej Libohovë
09.1943-10.1943 Ibrahim Biçaku
10.1943-11.1943 Mehdi Frashëri
11.1943-07.1944 Rexhep Mitrovicë
07.1944-10.1944 Fiqri bej Dine
Chairmen of the Council of Ministers (Kryetar i Këshillit të Ministrave):
10.1944-07.1954 Gjen. Enver Halil Hoxha
07.1954-12.1981 Glt. Mehmet Shehu
01.1982-02.1991 Adil Çarçani
Prime Ministers:
02.1991-06.1991 Fatos Thanas Nano
06.1991-12.1991 Ylli Sokrat Bufi
12.1991-04.1992 Vilson Faik Ahmeti
04.1992-03.1997 Aleksandër Gabriel Meksi
04.1997-07.1997 Bashkim Muhamet Fino
07.1997-09.1998 Fatos Thanas Nano
09.1998-10.1998 Bashkim Muhamet Fino
10.1998-10.1999 Pandeli Sotir Majko
10.1999-02.2002 Ilir Rexhep Meta
02.2002-07.2002 Pandeli Sotir Majko
07.2002-09.2005 Fatos Thanas Nano
09.2005- Sali Ram Berisha

Ministers of War (Ministër i Luftës):
11.1912-03.1914 Mehmet Rushedi pashë Dërralla
03.1914-05.1914 Gjen. Esat pashë Toptani
05.1914-06.1914 Kol. Lodewijk Willem Johan Karel Thomson (acting)
07.1914-10.1914 Myfit bej Libohova
10.1914-02.1916 Jusuf bej Dibra
01.1920-11.1920 Gjen. Ali Riza Kolonjë
11.1920-10.1921 Salahudin bej Shkoza
10.1921-12.1921 Mjr. Bajram Fevziu
12.1921 Jusuf Gjinali
12.1921 Zija Dibra
12.1921 Shefik Kosturi
12.1921-02.1924 Mjr. Ismail Haki bej Tatzati
03.1924-06.1924 Mjr. Mustafa Aranitasi
06.1924-12.1924 Kol. Kasem bej Qafzezi
01.1925-09.1928 abolished
Inspectors General of the Military Department:
1928-1933 Gen. Alberto Pariani (Italian)
1933-1934 Gen. Riccardo Balocco (Italian)
1934-04.1939 Kol. Qemal Komani
Ministers of Defence (Ministër i Mbrojtjes):
10.1944-08.1953 Gjen. Enver Halil Hoxha
08.1953-10.1974 Glt. Beqir Balluku
10.1974-04.1980 Mehmet Shehu
04.1980-10.1982 Kadri Hazbiu
10.1982-07.1990 Prokop Murra
07.1990-05.1991 Kiço Mustaqi
05.1991-06.1991 Ndriçim Karakaçi
06.1991-12.1991 Perikli Teta
12.1991-04.1992 Glt. Alfred Spiro Moisiu
04.1992-03.1997 Safet Zhulali
03.1997-07.1997 Shaqir Vukaj
07.1997-04.1998 Sabit Laze Brokaj
04.1998-07.2000 Luan Hajdaraga
07.2000-11.2001 Ilir Xhelil Gjoni
11.2001-12.2001 Ismail Lleshi
12.2001-02.2002 Pandeli Sotir Majko
02.2002-07.2002 Luan Mersin Rama
07.2002-09.2005 Pandeli Sotir Majko
09.2005-03.2008 Fatmir Mediu
03.2008- Gazmend Nuri Oketa

Chiefs of General Staff (Kryetar i Shtabit Madhor):
05.1913-11.1920 Nkol. Ali Shefqet (Shkupi)
11.1920-12.1921 Gjen. Ali Riza Kolonjë
12.1921-06.1923 Mjr. Xhavid Leskoviku
06.1923-06.1924 Mjr. Bajram Fevziu
01.1925-04.1939 Kol. Gustav von Myrdač
Chiefs of General Staff (Shef i Shtabit të Përgjithshëm):
05.1944-08.1946 Gmjr. Spiro Moisiu
08.1946-1952 Gmjr. Mehmet Shehu
1952-1954 Gmjr. Petrit Dume
1954-1956 Gmjr. Arif Hasko Memaj
1956-07.1974 Glt. Petrit Dume
07.1974-1974 Sami Meçollari
1975-1981 Veli Llakaj
1981-02.1991 Kiço Mustaqi
02.1991-06.1991 Halim Abazi
06.1991-08.1992 Gmjr. Kostaq Karoli
08.1992-1994 Glt. Ilia Vasho
1994-07.1997 Gmjr. Sheme Kosova
07.1997-08.1997 Gmjr. Adem Çopani
08.1997-2000 Gjen.Brig. Aleks Andoni
2000-10.2006 Glt. Pëllumb Qazimi
10.2006- Glt. Luan Hoxha

Commanders of Navy:
bf1936-af1937 Kpt. E. Taddei
1946-1958 ...
1958-07.1960 Kadm. Teme Sejko
07.1960-09.1961 Kadm. Hito Çako
09.1961-1967/68 Kadm. Abdi Mati
1970s Qamil Poda
1970s-1990s ...
c.1994 Halil Fitui
?-1996 Muharrem Kuçana
c.1996 Kadm. Vladimir Beja
1996-c.1997 Skënder Doçi
c.1997-1998 Kadm. Robert Bali
09.1998-2005 Kadm. Kudret Çela
03.2005- 1. Kpt. Kristaq Gerveni


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