Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams is now a citizen of Albania. Bajram Begaj, the president of the republic, granted Adams Albanian citizenship and issued him an Albanian passport upon his own request. Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams is now officially Albanian. He has been granted citizenship and has received an Albanian passport by a special decree issued by the Albanian president. pic.twitter.com/HGqDETa39c — kos_data (@kos_data) April 10, 2026 More from The Guardian: A spokesperson for Adams then confirmed that development in a statement distributed to the news media, and it was evidently chronicled in Albania’s official government journal. “I decree granting citizenship … upon … Eric Leroy Adams,” read an English translation of the journal entry, signed by Begaj. “This decree shall enter into force immediately and shall be published in [the] official gazette.” Adams had previously earned news headlines by travelling to Albania for four days in October toward the end of his time as mayor of one of the world’s largest, most important cities. During the trip, Adams and Edi Rama, Albania’s prime minister, spoke of collaborating more strongly in the fields of tourism and technology. Adams also said he would champion a direct flight from New York to Albania, as the Associated Press noted. And he lavished compliments on Albania’s capital, Tirana. “You’re seeing a thriving community and city moving in the right direction,” Adams remarked at the time, on what was one of several international trips he took in his final months in office. “New York is the Albania of America,” Adams said during his visit to the Balkan country. “You have one of the largest Albanian populations and many times the Albanian New Yorkers have asked me to come to this country,” he added. Check it out: During his last visit to Albania as NYC mayor, Eric Adams said: "New York is the Albania of America." https://t.co/i0a5oCuOrY pic.twitter.com/pvs7nZIMo8 — kos_data (@kos_data) April 10, 2026 ABC7 New York shared further: A spokesman for the former mayor said Adams has long been a friend of the Albanian-American community and said New York City has one of the largest Albanian populations in the United States. “The decision by the Republic of Albania to grant Mayor Adams citizenship reflects that enduring relationship and mutual respect,” spokesman Todd Shapiro said in a statement. “Leaders around the world – including mayors and presidents – have historically been recognized with honorary or dual citizenships as a symbol of international partnership and shared values.” Shapiro said Adams, as mayor, always viewed the office as one with global influence and responsibility. “With the United Nations headquartered in New York City, the mayoralty carries a unique international significance,” Shapiro’s statement said. “This recognition further strengthens the bond between New York and Albania.”