The Warsaw Treaty

The Warsaw Treaty was signed on May 14, 1955, by the governments of eight communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe, including Albania. It was officially titled: "Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance," but in reality, it was a comprehensive political-military pact. The member states established a Joint Command of the Armed Forces aimed at defending the borders of their territories from any possible aggression.

In December 1956, Khrushchev proposed to Hoxha the creation of a military base in Vlora. The proposal was accepted, and Vlora naval base became the only communist bloc base in the Mediterranean. There were anchored 12 submarines, 2 cruisers, 12 small ships, 24 auxiliary vessels, and a large number of armaments. According to the Albanian leadership, the Vlora Base would, among other things, ensure the control over the US Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and make a NATO attack against the People's Republic of Albania impossible by sea.
From 1956 to 1960, Albania was supported by the Soviet Union with armament and military equipment, as well as assistance in their use. To create a qualified military personnel, many young people from Albania were sent to study at military schools in the Soviet Union.
After the diplomatic relations were severed with the Soviet Union, on September 13, 1968, Albania declared the law for withdrawal from the Warsaw Treaty.