In the context of the participation at the NATO defence ministers meeting, which is being held in Brussels on 26-27 February 2014, the Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli participated at the US-Adriatic Charter (A5) Ministerial. The ministerial was chaired by Mrs. Kodheli for our country has the presidency of the 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.
Defence Minister Kodheli also stated that, the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF), for a long time, have been committed and will continue their commitment to NATO-led operations. Mrs. Kodheli stressed that regional cooperation should focus on the concept of “Smart Defence” and use of joint defence assets in cases of emergencies. Minister Kodheli described joint exercises as a good tool to further increase and strengthen military cooperation in the region and beyond, citing in particular, the joint exercise which will be held in our country in 2015.
Defence ministers confirmed once again the importance of the Euro-Atlantic integration process for the strengthening of stability and security in Eastern European countries. At the meeting, special importance was given to the role of Albania, Croatia and United States, as NATO member countries, for the support they have given to other countries participating in the initiative, in the process of integration into NATO or in other regional structures.
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.
