10 years NATO Member, Xhaçka: Albania, strategic asset in the region

Published: Thursday, 28 March 2019 21:33

A decade after NATO membership, Albania has managed to be a reliable partner and a strategic asset in the region for the North Atlantic Alliance. These were the introducing words, that Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka addressed the representatives from member countries of the Alliance, invited to a gala evening that precedes some activities which will be held on March 29th on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of Albania's Membership in NATO.

“10 years ago Albania was accepted as a member of the largest military Alliance that history has ever known. Today, a decade later, I am very proud that we have not only justified that expectation, but thanks to our work and contribution, we have managed to become a reliable partner and strategic asset for the Alliance in the region. A partner that is not only working to fulfill its obligations towards NATO, but that for the past 10 years has repeatedly shown that it is willing and able to compensate with dedication and professionalism even those that can be considered as absences or limitations”, - emphasized during the welcoming speech the Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka.

 

“It took years and decades of work to meet the conditions for NATO membership. Of course, it was not easy, because Albania dreamed for the first time of joining the Alliance when it was a ravaged country, newly emerging from 5 decades of a savage regime that in terms of values and vision for the world and society represented the opposite of everything that NATO represents”, - added Minister Xhaçka.

Highlighting the fact that much work has been required in these 10 years to continue the transformation of the Armed Forces, Minister Xhaçka added that NATO is an alliance of values and countries that are united not only by demands for security, but also the belief in the values of humanity, justice and democracy.
The Defence Minister also spoke about the challenges of the future that the Alliance faces today. “Today we live in a moment of great historical changes, which will undoubtedly face us with many challenges and threats towards security. We will be faced with the need to adapt and react. And I have no doubt that, as it has done during the 70 years of its existence, NATO will again know how to change and adapt to any crisis and threat. Because this is an alliance built not on convenience or fear of the momentum”, said further on the Defence Minister.

Minister Xhaçka addressed a special acknowledgement to the strategic partners and allies such as the United States of America, Italy, Greece, Turkey, but also Great Britain, Germany and any country that has contributed to the strengthening of the Armed Forces of Albania.