23 October 2014
On the second day of the NATO Ministerial proceedings in Brussels, Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli in her remarks stated that, Albania will continue to be engaged in Afghanistan after the year 2014. Minister Kodheli also stressed that, the Armed Forces of Albania are committed to take part in joint exercises with NATO troops from 2015 onwards.
During her stay in Brussels, Mrs. Kodheli had a phone call, from NATO headquarters, with our troops deployed in Afghanistan. Minister Kodheli expressed to them the support of the government and of the Ministry of Defence for constant attention and care dedicated to the troops participating in peacekeeping missions, and wished them success in accomplishing the noble tasks and healthy return home.
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During her stay in Brussels, Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli held a meeting with the Minister of Defence of Italy, Mr. Mario Mauro, by request of the latter. Minister Mauro congratulated Mrs. Kodheli for her new assignment and invited her to visit Rome at an appropriate time. He highly praised cooperation in the field of defence between our two countries and stressed the need to further intensify this cooperation, mainly in terms of capacity building, marine and space surveillance, and modernization.
For her part, Minister Kodheli stressed that, we have the same interests and ties between our two countries are multifaceted. According to her, the current cooperation has been very good, considering, in this context, Italy’s contribution in the field of military education and training of the Albanian Armed Forces, as well as in the field of logistics. Minister Kodheli shared the same view with the Italian Minister that other areas of cooperation should also be explored such as, cyber defence, fight against illegal trafficking, demilitarization, etc. Thanking the Italian counterpart for the invitation, Minister Kodheli expressed readiness to visit Rome soon.
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Defence Minister Kodheli held, also today, a working meeting with the Defence Minister of Greece, Mr. Dimitrios Avramopoulos, by request of the latter. The meeting focused on issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, as well as on the political situation in the Balkans. Both ministers shared the view that relations between our two countries are at an excellent level, based on a new architecture of bilateral cooperation. Focusing on the new government of Prime Minister Rama, Minister Avramopoulos said that Albania deserves a better future and believes that it will possible with the bold and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Rama and of the new governing cabinet.
While thanking him for the meeting, Mrs. Kodheli praised relations between the two countries in the field of defence and expressed the optimism of the new government for profound changes towards a better future for the country. Now, according to her, both countries live in a stable security environment, which makes cooperation easier in other fields of mutual interest. She thanked the Greek counterpart for the assistance Greece provides in the field of military education of young Albanian officers.
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Following her bilateral meetings in Brussels, Minister Kodheli held a meeting with the Assistant Secretary of Defence for Global Strategic Affairs of the United States, Ms. Madelyn R. Creedon. Thanking Albania for the excellent cooperation with the United States, for the co-chairmanship of the NATO Prolifaration Committee, Defence format for 2012-2013, Ms. Creedon focused on the progress of bilateral relations in the field of security and defence. Both interlocutors shared the view that relations between the two countries are at an excellent level. Later, Mrs. Kodheli informed Ms. Creedon about her priorities as Minister of Defence of Albania, with an emphasis on the programs of cooperation with the United States, especially education, training and preparation of young officers. Mrs. Kodheli and Ms. Creedon focused on the need to intensify cooperation in the field of security and to address common challenges within the Alliance. As a member of the Alliance, Albania has the human and material potentials to contribute more to peace and global security, - stated Ms. Creedon. While Minister Kodheli stressed that, Albania remains committed to cooperating with the United States, as our strategic partner and to explore new areas and projects of cooperation, in view of the contributions our country should provide for a more secure world, thus further increasing Albania’s role in this field.
