# US diplomatic representation in Albania > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-representation-in-albania > Updated: 2026-10-05T11:45:11.000Z. Sources: 32. Developments: 4. The United States has restored full diplomatic representation in Tirana following the arrival of new Ambassador Eric Wendt. Wendt, a former Lieutenant General and Green Beret, officially presented his credentials to Albanian President Bajram Begaj on September 26, succeeding Yuri Kim after a nearly three-year period led by a chargé d'affaires. Wendt has initiated his mission with high-level meetings involving Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha. His mandate focuses on strengthening defense and cybersecurity cooperation, promoting economic diplomacy, and supporting Albania’s goal to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. He has also emphasized the necessity of supporting the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) as an independent institution. Recent diplomatic activity has included a meeting between Ambassador Wendt and Klodian Braho, head of SPAK, signaling continued American support for the Albanian judiciary. This occurs as SPAK investigates allegations involving the State Intelligence Service (SHISH) and the State Police regarding the leaking of reserved information to organized crime. Additionally, Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, held an unannounced evening meeting with Prime Minister Rama, a visit noted for its unconventional nature as she was not accompanied by personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. While the Albanian government views these engagements as opportunities to deepen bilateral ties, opposition figures, including Sali Berisha, continue to call for a more aggressive stance against political corruption and criminal networks. ## Claims - Eric Wendt presented his credentials to President Bajram Begaj (corroborated by 7 sources) - Eric Wendt has over 34 years of service in the US military (corroborated by 6 sources) - Eric Wendt previously served as NATO Special Operations Commander (corroborated by 6 sources) - Wendt's priorities include fighting corruption and organized crime (corroborated by 6 sources) - The US Embassy in Tirana has been without a confirmed head for nearly three years (corroborated by 5 sources) - Wendt aims to strengthen defense and cybersecurity cooperation (corroborated by 5 sources) - Wendt was proposed by Donald Trump and confirmed by the US Senate (corroborated by 4 sources) - Wendt expressed support for SPAK (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-05: United States officials conduct high-level meetings in Albania U.S. diplomatic engagement in Albania includes an unannounced meeting between Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and PM Edi Rama, alongside support for the judiciary via Ambassador Eric Wendt’s visit to SPAK. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-officials-conduct-high-level-meetings-in-albania ### 2026-09-29: Eric Wendt begins mission as new U.S. Ambassador to Albania New U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt has begun his mission in Albania, meeting with top officials to discuss security, anti-corruption efforts, and strengthening the strategic partnership. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eric-wendt-begins-mission-as-new-us-ambassador-to-albania ### 2026-09-26: Eric Wendt begins mission as US Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt has officially assumed his role as the US Ambassador to Albania, presenting credentials to President Begaj and focusing on defense, economic diplomacy, and anti-corruption efforts. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eric-wendt-presents-credentials-as-new-us-ambassador-to-albania ### 2026-09-19: U.S. Ambassador Eric Wendt to hold diplomatic reception in Tirana The U.S. Embassy in Tirana is hosting a diplomatic reception on October 2 to introduce new Ambassador Eric Wendt, a former Lieutenant General with extensive military experience. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-ambassador-eric-wendt-to-hold-diplomatic-reception-in-tirana --- Cite as: US diplomatic representation in Albania. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-diplomatic-representation-in-albania