Economic Agreements in the Yugoslav-Albanian Relations

Abstract

During 1945-1947, the foreign politics policy of Albania moved towards an intense relation with Yugoslavia. The main interest of Belgrade was to include Albania in the Balkan Federation. In July 1946 the two countries signed the tract of Friendship and Reciprocal help which opened the doors to a union between them. During this period Albania and Yugoslavia signed several economic agreements such as: the Economic Convention, Treaty on trade exchanges and their payments, Economic cooperation Treaty, Accordance for the establishment of the Albanian-Yugoslav society for the exploration and exploitation of the mines, Accordance for the establishment of the Albanian-Yugoslav Bank, Agreement of 2 billion dinars credit for the recovery of the Albanian economy, Unification of Prices, Agreement on Customs Union etc. To keep the political power, Enver Hoxha was required to come to an agreement with Yugoslavia but he was not willing to share the power with them or their instruments in Albania. Political disagreements between Tito-Stalin in 1948 were the perfect occasion for Enver Hoxha to end the relationship with Yugoslavia and to take out of the political area Koci Xoxe who was his opponent and a declared Yugoslavia supporter. After this situation in Albania started the prosecution of the pro Yugoslavia groups inside Albania Communist Party leaded by Koci Xoxe who was sentenced with death penalty whereas his collaborators were sentenced with several minor charges. Separation from Yugoslavia saved Albania from a complete economical and political annexation.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n13p289