26 - 27 February 2014
NATO Defence Ministers agreed on Wednesday (26 February 2014) to move ahead with plans to improve a set of defence capabilities which are key to dealing with future security challenges. NATO Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: “Through our operations, including Libya and Afghanistan, we have identified the areas where our capabilities do not go far enough or too few countries have them.”
Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli emphasized Albania’s commitment, as member of the Alliance in all dimensions, in the service of global security and as part of joint efforts for a stronger and more efficient organization.
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During the day, Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli met Ms. Francesca Tardioli, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General. Minister Kodheli focused especially on the needed reforms in Defence and support to cope with civil emergencies. Ms. Tardioli sought a preliminary assessment on the Albania’s needs, and guaranteed NATO support.
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27 February 2014
On the second day, Minister Kodheli chaired the US-Adriatic Charter (A5) meeting, for our country has the presidency of this initiative in 2014.
In her opening remarks, Defence Minister Kodheli expressed satisfaction for the participation of all the defence ministers of the Adriatic Charter member countries, and for the organization of this meeting in NATO HQs, which carries a special symbolic, closely related to one of the fundamental principles of A5 Initiative: Euro-Atlantic Integration of the region.
In her remarks, Defence Minister Kodheli ranked the priorities the US-Adriatic Charter Initiative will have during our country’s presidency, focusing on the strengthening of regional cooperation to better respond to national needs and objectives of the member countries; support of NATO’s “open doors” policy for the membership of the countries of the region; potential commitment in Afghanistan after 2014 in NATO-led operations, promotion of regional training centres, etc.
After the Adriatic Charter meeting, Defence Minister Kodheli responding to the media interest regarding this meeting stated that, Albania has the chairmanship of the Adriatic Charter and it is important to share with the Albanian public four moments: support of the “open doors” policy Albania has in relation to neighbours countries or with those who adhere to be NATO member countries; closer cooperation we should have for civil emergencies, which obviously, after this meeting, will mount at a more intense and higher level; assistance Albania should give to neighbouring countries for the growth of support and transformation these countries should have on the their relatively long way toward NATO, but not impossible, absolutely not, and what is most important, the increase of operational capacity, which will enable cooperation in operation NATO forces conduct with the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Albania, as part of the A5.
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