Minister Mediu meets NATO General Secretary Scheffer

“Albania is voice of reason in Balkan”. This was the statement of General Secretary Scheffer, in the meeting with Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu a few days ago. On March 23, 2007, minister of Defence Fatmir Mediu met in Brussels with NATO General Secretary Jaap De Hoop Scheffer. “2007 is beyond doubt very important for Balkan region. The final status for Kosovo will be defined, whilst Albania, Macedonia and Croatia are in front of the objective of having the invitation for membership. It is very important that Albania continues the reforms in every field”, -declared during this meeting Jaap De Hoop Scheffer. Further on, while estimating with very positive considerations progress made by Albania in the filed of defense, NATO-s high official said that: “You have worked very well, so far. It’s a long time that Albania is exporter of security and this is a fact to be valued in continuity. I have always been of the opinion that Balkan region should be fully integrated in the NATO and EU structures”.
Minister Mediu on his side declared to Secretary Scheffer that ‘We will do everything possible to have the invitation for NATO membership. Fight against the organized crime and corruption is a problem for both sides of Albanian politics. Messages of Riga Summit, with the support given to Albania, refer not only to the government, but to opposition as well as to all Albanian people. Albania has been active in increasing the stability of the region and relations with Macedonia are a good example that illustrates this fact.
Secretary Scheffer welcomed the fact that Albanian Government has planned in 2008, that defense budget reaches the value of 2% of General Domestic Product. He considered as very positive the fact that 8 % of Land Forces participate in peacekeeping operations in the hottest spots of the globe, and added also that participation of Albania in ISAF Operation in Afghanistan led by NATO is considerable in number and of positive result. Both high personalities spoke about the future of Kosovo. Minister Mediu re-emphasized the position of the Albanian Government in full support of proposals of President Ahtisaar, stressing the issues of respect ethnical minorities’ rights, especially of those Serbian. Secretary Scheffer declared that Euro-Atlantic allies unanimously support the packet of President Ahtisaar and are looking forward to the soonest possible solution of the status process. Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu had also a special meeting with General John Cradock, the Supreme Commander of Alliance Forces in Europe. General Cradock expressed high considerations for reforms undertaken in our Armed Forces in order to have the invitation for NATO membership in 2008. He estimated the contribution of the Albanian militaries in the mission ISAF in Afghanistan, where our country is represented with a medical team in the framework of the Adriatic Charter and with troops of the Special Commando Battalion in Kabul. He estimates also the will of the Albanian party to increase the number of contingent of the Special Battalion. Minister Mediu had also meetings with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Ray Henault, as well as in the Mission of United States of America in NATO, where he expressed thanks for support given by the American Senate for approval of Resolution of NATO expansion with Albania, alongside with Croatia, Macedonia, Ukraine and Georgia.
Minister Mediu decorated with the order “For Distinguished Services” Mr. George Katsirdakis, head of Branch of Military Cooperation in the Division of Planning and NATO Defence Policies. During the visit in NATO Headquarters and the Supreme Staff of the Alliance Forces, Minister Mediu was accompanied by chief of General Staff of AF, General Major Luan Hoxha, deputies of Parliament of Albania Arben Malaj and Alfred Gega and representative of Ministry of Defence, Genral Staff of AF of Republic of Albania.

MoD greets the American Senate Resolution for Albania’s admission in NATO

On March 15, 2007, by all the members of the Senate of United States Representatives, was approved without changes law nr. S 494, a law that approves NATO expansion including Albania. Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of Republic of Albania are grateful towards the American people and their honorable Senate representatives for acceptance and approval of the resolution on NATO expansion with Albania alongside with Croatia, Macedonia, Ukraine and Georgia.
By acknowledging this unique and historic event, Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces consider it not only estimation of the achievements, but let’s emphasize, a great further obligation and serious dedication in order to realize on time transformation and development of the Force towards standards of countries part of the Alliance of North Atlantic. In order to be continuously transparent with public we want to inform you, this time, about an important moment of development and transformation of our Armed Forces and especially about the measures taken in the completion process of our new structure with senior officers [Generals].
As part of the general efforts of our country, the Armed Forces are actually engaged in a deep transformation process. Apart the other aspects in this development and reformation process that aims at the adaptability of our structures with structures of NATO countries, we have started to apply this year a new structure of the Armed Forces.
In order to realize this structure we are based on our constitutional Documents, the gained experience, possibilities, but we have also been assisted intensively by the American Team of Estimation of Defense and by North Atlantic Alliance Transformation Command. This new structure accomplishes standards of NATO countries, model of collective defense. The new structure, after approval by President of the Republic [in the position of General Commander of the Armed Forces] has begun to be applied in January of this year.
Actually the structure is in the process of realization and completion with the required personnel based on the law on career and capability of militaries, but also in conformity with requirements of the membership.
In this framework, based on the Law for Command and Leadership in the Armed Forces very soon will be presented to the General Commander [President of the Republic], the candidates for accreditation of the Generals in accordance with the new structure. Reformation of the Army is not only a change of the military structures. Above all transformation has begun with creation of a new mentality; a concept to build a force oriented towards NATO, with capacities and values needed on order to be partners of the Alliance whose member we are going to be. The essence of this mentality is being reflected by our militaries.

Commander of NATO Staff in Tirana changes

In the premises of the Training and Doctrine Command was conducted the ceremony of changing the commander of NATO Staff in Tirana. Its commander, Brigade General Georgios Mouroutsos ended its mission and handed over the duty to Major General Anastasios Rintis.
In this special ceremony participated: Prime Minister of Republic of Albania Sali Berisha, Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu, Minister of Interior Affairs Bujar Nishani, Head of Parliamentary Commission of National Security Leonard Demi, Deputy/Minister of Defence Zana Xhuka, Deputy/Chief of Staff Agim Lala, ambassadors and military attachés of NATO countries accredited in our country, leaders of the religious communities, SAIC and DIE representatives, generals and high militaries of AF, as well as other guests.
The ceremony was headed by Deputy/Commander of NATO Joint Force Command [JFC] in Naples marshal Dusty Miller. The ceremony was opened by Major General Mauroutsos, who after thanking those present for participation in this important activity, dwelt on his one year work in Albania, the perfect cooperation that he has had with Ministry of Defence and General Staff of AF, in the assistance and contribution given in the process of implementation of military reforms in Albania etc.
In his address Minister of Defence Fatmir Mediu expressed the feeling of respect and gratitude for General Mouroutsos, who became inseparable part of the attempts of Albania for progress towards membership in NATO for a complete year. “I, emphasized Minister Mediu, estimate maximally the active counseling role of General Mouroutsos for implementation of programs of Partnership for Peace, the valuable expertise in increase of interaction between our Armed Forces with NATO and realization of Objectives for Partnership alongside with completion of standards”. During the presence of General Mouroutsos in our country, - continued further on Minister Mediu,-contacts between representatives of Joint Command of Forces in Naples and our military structures were increased, thus enabling beneficial of expertise of this Command to the advantage of transformation of our Armed Forces’. He estimated especially assistance of NATO Staff in Tirana and General Mouroutsos, who has influenced positively in the continuous progress of our Defense Reform with his benevolent thoughts that he has given in many joint meetings.
“We are very near membership in the Alliance of North Atlantic thanks to the miraculous aid given by NATO Staff in Tirana and the collective contribute of this group led perfectly by General Mouroutsos.
NATO Staff in Tirana has contributed in all the aspects in support of the Albanian society, changing into in an institution completely acceptable for Albanian society”, - said at the end of his address Minister Mediu.
On this accession, he welcomed the new high military leader of NATO Staff, Brigade General Anastasios Rintis and expressed the belief that cooperation between Ministry of Defense and other Albanian institutions with NATO Staff in Tirana will be intensified during 2007 and in continuity, as a decisive period for realization of Albania’s strategic objective to get the invitation for NATO membership.
Later, those present were greeted by Prime Minister Sali Berisha. “We are gathered today to see off General Mouroutsos, emphasized Mr. Berisha, a valuable guest, a capable and skilled commander, to express the gratitude for his great contribution during his one year work in leading NATO staff in Tirana”.
During this year that he led NATO Staff in Tirana, said in continuation of his address Prime Minister Berisha, relations of Albania with NATO took place new developments. This year Albania received the great message from Riga Summit to get the invitation for NATO membership in the future summit. Prime Minister Berisha assured that, the Albanian government will do every attempt to deserve this invitation. It will continue with higher rhythms process of transformation of AF, in order to make them smaller in number, but professional and within standards that requires membership in Euro-Atlantic Alliance. Mr. Berisha notified that just some days ago the Government decided that the defense budget for 2008 to be increased in 2% of GDP. He welcomed in Albania as the head of the NATO staff in Tirana Brigade General Rintis and encouraged him to fulfill with honor duties of his mission, having always in his side the full support of Albanian party.
In the ceremony greeted also Deputy/Commander of NATO Command of Joint Forces [JFC] In Naples marshal Dusty Miller. For contribution given in accomplishment successfully of the duty in our country as the head of NATO Staff in Tirana, minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu accorded to Major General Georgios Mouroutsos ‘Medal for Distinguished Services’. Mareshal Miller handed over the flag of NATO Staff in Tirana to Brigade General Anastasios Rintis accompanied by the march of the Wind Orchestra of AF.