Both countries are members of many international organizations and share common political views about the Balkans and the world, with Italy being a strong supporter of the EU candidacy of Albania.

[citation needed] Formal relations between the two countries commenced in 1912, as the Kingdom of Italy supported the Albanian Declaration of Independence in said year.

[citation needed] Later during the monarchy period and the reign of King Zog, Italy became the closest ally of Albania, making it a de facto protectorate.

In the spring of 1925 two important concessions were signed with Italy; the first was the right to found a national bank and the second was the approval of the establishment of an Italian company (SVEA), to develop the economy of Albania.

After the breakdown of the communist regime, Italy had been the main immigration target for Albanians leaving their country.

On 24 November 2008, the then Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, carried a state visit in Tirana, where he met with his counterpart PM Sali Berisha.

During this visit an agreement was signed on the construction of two coal-fired power plants, financed by Italy which would help boost Albania's economy.

[10] Later on 10 March governments of both countries signed an agreement on energy cooperation promoting interconnection and integration of electric energy and natural gas systems in both countries, which was important decision for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project, which will transport natural gas, starting from Greece via Albania and the Adriatic Sea to Italy and further to Western Europe.

[12][13] On 13 October 2016, the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy Laura Boldrini visited Tirana, once again supporting the integration path of Albania and the juridical reform recently passed by the Parliament.