the Republic of Albania
(Albanian: Republika e Shqipërisë
pronounced [ɾɛˈpublika ɛ ʃcipəˈɾiːs],
or simply Shqipëria,
Gheg Albanian: Shqipnija),
is a country in South Eastern Europe.
The country is a member of the United Nations,
the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,
Council of Europe,
World Trade Organisation,
and Union for the Mediterranean.
It is also a potential candidate for membership
in the European Union and
received a NATO membership invitation on 3 April 2008