The role of Albania within UN Peacekeeping Operations

This book examines the role of Albania in UN peacekeeping operations and will provide a whole picture related to the transformation of Albania, and of its repercussion within the framework of peacekeeping operations as well. The research perspective concerns the change from a country in transition hosting a number of peacekeeping missions during the civil unrest in 1997, into one of the countries which is sending nowadays its military contingents in the conflict areas, such as Bosnia Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Iraq. The paper will start with a short analysis of why there was a need to create these missions under the UN mandate. The analysis will follow with a particular focus on Albania as a recipient and sending country involved in peacekeeping operations. The effectiveness of the Albanian military contingents will be evaluated and the policy-making level, taking into consideration their peculiar role in fulfilling their mission's mandate in the field as well. The whole structure will be based on the detailed reference to and analysis of Albanian national law which allows the country to undertake such international commitments.