22 October 2013
The Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli is participating in the defence ministers ministerial of NATO member states, which is being held at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
During the day, Minister Kodheli held a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen and U.S. Secretary of Defence, Mr. Chuck Hagel.
At the opening of the meeting, Mr. Rasmussen welcomed Minister Kodheli to the NATO headquarters and congratulated Minister Kodheli on her new assignment. Focusing on today’s meeting of the NATO defence ministers, he stated that this meeting will serve as the first step towards NATO Summit in 2014. Secretary General Rasmussen highlighted the positive contribution of Albania in operations, regional initiatives and in support of the “Smart Defence” initiative, in which Albania is an active part of it. Making a brief summary of today’s meetings, held in different formats, Mr. Rasmussen stressed that, he expects extensive discussions on our common issues and challenges. At the end of his speech, he expressed his satisfaction about Albania’s role in NATO and he expects to cooperate closely with the Albanian authorities in the future. In this context, he mentioned the recent meeting held with the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama. Minister Kodheli also handed to Mr. Rasmussen a painting, on behalf of Mr. Rama.
Defence Minister, Mrs. Kodheli thanked NATO Secretary General for the reception reserved, in her first participation in the NATO Defence Ministerial. She assured Secretary Rasmussen for the support and commitment of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Albania, and of hers, in addressing common issues and challenges for a stronger alliance. Albania, highlighted Mrs. Kodheli, believes that NATO plays a key role in Kosovo and thanked the leadership of the NATO Secretary General. Regarding developments in the Western Balkans, Minister Kodheli expressed Albania’s constructive role in support of peace, security and prosperity by investing more on the welfare of the region. Albania’s contribution to ISAF, KFOR, etc, will still be fully supported, especially in the framework of ISAF, after the year 2014. Mrs. Kodheli stated that, Albania will continue to work for the transformation, modernization and interoperability of the Armed Forces, in order to meet obligations as a reliable ally. It is my belief, continued Mrs. Kodheli, to focus on the fight against corruption inside the security and defence institutions, in order to have a modern, well-prepared and professional armed force. At the end of her speech, Minister Kodheli conveyed to Mr. Rasmussen the best wishes of Prime Minister Rama and expressed the Albanian government’s determination to be a worthy partner in this alliance.
Mr. Rasmussen thanked Mrs. Kodheli for her support, wished for other productive meetings, and emphasized that while resources remain few, they should be used with caution. On her part, Minister Kodheli emphasized once again that, despite the financial situation, Albania will continue to do its best to achieve common goals.
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Defence Minister Kodheli held, also today, a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defence, Mr. Chuck Hagel, by his request. After congratulating Minister on her new assignment as Minister of Defence of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Hagel assessed the cooperation with Albania. He assured Minister Kodheli for the undisputable support of the new governing team and underlined the fact that the new fields of cooperation are required.
Defence Minister Kodheli thanked the U.S. Secretary of Defence, Mr. Hagel for the USA support to the Albanian government, and extended the government’s invitation to visit our country, invitation that Mr. Hagel accepted with pleasure.
During the NATO Ministerial, being held in Brussels, a wide range of issues are expected to be discussed such as, cyber defence, resources, Afghanistan, capacity development, etc, issues which will be subject of discussions at the next NATO summit in 2014.
