Albania's historical quest for nationhood and independence has been a very turbulent one. Over the last 150 years Italy has been both a "partner" and a "foe" of Albania. Today Albania is in the "waiting room" for membership of the European Union (EU) together with other Western Balkan countries. As the Ukraine events have demonstrated, the process of membership of the EU can be politicised. Despite Albania's desire to enter the EU, membership is not guaranteed.

Dr Perparim Xhaferi is a research fellow at the European Centre of excellence/RMIT University in Melbourne.

Marco Brunazzo is Professor of Political Science at the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Trento (Italy).

Bruno Mascitelli is an Adjunct Professor at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.