JulyTurkey’s defence attaché decorated with the medal “For distinguished services”
03 July 2012
This morning, at the Ministry of Defence was held the decoration ceremony with the medal “For Distinguished Services” of the Defence Attaché of the Republic of Turkey in Tirana, Colonel Zafer Ugur, who successfully concludes its mission in our country. In this ceremony attended Defence Minister, Mr. Arben Imami, Deputy Minister of Defence, Ms. Zana Xhuka, Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, Major General Xhemal Gjunkshi, deputy ambassador of Turkey in Tirana, Ms. Asllë Umar, directors of departments and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff, representatives of the Military Cooperation and Coordination Office between Albania and Turkey, etc.
Defence Minister Imami, addressing Colonel Zafer Ugur said: “It is a pleasure for me to award you on the behalf of the Ministry of Defence the medal “For Distinguished Services”. Relations between our two countries are excellent, consistent interest, the military and economic support given to our Armed Forces by the Republic of Turkey, and in particular by its Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, are invaluable and for that we have deep gratitude”. Turkey, continued further Mr. Imami, is one of the few countries, which even after membership in NATO, continues to have interests on the development of our Armed Forces and this makes us even more grateful to you. Turkish Armed Forces’ contributions to our Navy, Air Force, Military Police, Special Forces and Commando forces, particularly in education, are an incomparable support, which ranks them second behind the United States.
Speaking about common interests our two countries share for peace and freedom in Balkans, Minister Imami said: “We are talking about a region where peace, security and freedom of peoples should prevail, and Turkey’s contribution to stability and peace in the Balkans is irreplaceable. Turkey’s and Albania’s pro-western orientation can and should be a model for the modernity of all countries of the region and even beyond”.
Later, Minister Imami, while underlining once again the contribution of Colonel Zafer Ugur in the last few years as defence attaché of Turkey, handed him the medal “For Distinguished Services” with the motivation “For contribution through his work, as defence attaché in terms of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of defence between the Republic of Albania and Republic of Turkey”.
For his part, Turkey’s Defence Attaché, Colonel Ugur, after thanking Minister Imami for the assessment of his work said: “I have worked for two years, of course I did my duty, but important was that my friendship with the staff here was truly valuable. I’m leaving, but it is important that a part of my heart will remain here and the medal awarded to me by the Ministry of Defence of Albania is another source of friendship”. Later, he thanked the Ministry of Defence, General Staff and all staff for the support they have given during these two years as Turkey’s defence attaché in Tirana.
Colonel Zafer Ugur for two consecutive years carried out the duty of defence attaché of the Republic of Turkey and head of Coordination and Cooperation Office between Turkey and Albania, in Tirana. During this period, he was distinguished for qualitative and continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, General Staff and all AAF’s structures, increasing and strengthening the close relations that exist between both countries and armies.
