Italy and the end of communism in Albania, 1989-1991

This article analyses Italy's foreign policy towards the end of the Albania's communism regime. At first, after the fall of the Berlin wall the Andreotti Government tried to link the Albanian question with Rome's policy towards Yugoslavia. Between 1990 and 1991 Italy was confronted with the deterioration of Albania's political and economic situation and was compelled to develop an ad hoc policy, especially as far as the immigration issue was concerned. The crisis reached its climax in summer 1991. After the implementation of some emergency measures Italy tried to pursue a long term policy based on economic help and nation building initiatives in order to favour the setting up of a new Albanian post-communist regime.