Minister Kodheli holds meeting with Alternate Minister of Defence of Greece and Minister of Defence of Croatia

03 October 2013

The Minister of Defence of Albania, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, which is participating in the Comprehensive Regional Ministerial 2013 in Brdo, Slovenia, held today a bilateral meeting with the Alternate Minister of National Defence of Greece, Ms. Fofi Gennimata, after the request of the latter. After congratulating her for the office, adding significance to the appointment of Mrs. Kodheli in this position, Ms. Gennimata mentioned as a matter of necessity the strengthening of cooperation between our two countries, especially in the field of defence.

The expected visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece Venizelos, in Tirana, was highlighted at the meeting, testifies the new dimension of relations between our two countries. Ms. Gennimata, in particular, focused on the need to implement more activities in the framework of bilateral cooperation plan. Although under financial difficulties, she stressed that the strengthening of cooperation in the field of defence will enable a better management of financial resources.

For her part, Minister Kodheli thanked Ms. Gennimata for the meeting and the support, and emphasized the necessity of strengthening relations, as two neighbouring countries with an ancient history and common interests. She shared the same opinion that, the financial situation should not prevent us for further cooperation in the field of defence.

Both ministers also stressed the need of finding new areas with mutual interest of cooperation such as, the exchange of experiences in the field of technology and cybernetics.

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Today, Defence Minister Ms. Mimi Kodheli also met the Minister of Defence of Croatia, Mr. Ante Kotromanović. At the meeting, both defence ministers shared the opinion that current relations between our two countries have not been at the desired level. For this reason, their resize is necessary. Focusing on the importance A-5 initiative has for the participating countries, the Croatian Minister of Defence, Mr. Kotromanovic highlighted the increase of cooperation in the framework of this initiative. Further, he stressed his country’s readiness to support the integration of Kosovo in regional initiatives. Cooperation through joint projects and more specifically on maritime security, increase of cooperation between the two Naval Forces for the prevention of pollution of the Adriatic Sea, were also in the focus of the talks, according to the proposal submitted by the Minister Kodheli.

Minister Kodheli also asked to jointly find new ways of cooperation, which could include Kosovo. The Croatian side also offered training opportunities for military personnel in areas according to the needs of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania.
Minister Kodheli, while emphasizing the shared values of both countries, confirmed her readiness and of the Ministry of Defence to resize bilateral relations, starting without delay the implementation of joint projects.

At the end of the meeting, Croatian Minister of Defence Kotromanovic invited the Minister of Defence of Albania, Ms. Kodheli for an official visit to Croatia.