Albania celebrates 11 years of NATO membership

Published: Saturday, 04 April 2020 20:33

11 years have passed since Albania joined NATO. It is a historic day for all Albanians. A day when Albania became a member of the largest military alliance in history. Therefore, today I want to express my gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to make this aspiration of the Albanians a reality. I would also like to thank all the allies, especially the United States of America, who believed in Albania and welcomed Albania to the ranks of allies.

Today should have been a day to celebrate, which is apparently not possible, because these days we are facing a war against an invisible and unknown enemy, but as dangerous as any conventional enemy, thus there are many reasons to feel proud of the Armed Forces, of any youngster and young lady so as man and woman in uniform. In those 11 years, due to hard work and dedication, the Armed Forces have managed to gain the respect and admiration of partners and allies, giving an extraordinary contribution to the Alliance's missions, far greater than the contribution that would normally come from a country. with the dimensions of Albania.

Today, the Armed Forces are commited in their most difficult mission, on the front line of the war, endangering their lives and health, to guarantee the the lives and health of Albanian citizens. These youngster and young ladies, men and women in uniform, have often made us feel proud of the way they have performed on missions from Afghanistan to Iraq, of the way they have come to the aid of citizens at risk of flooding and snowstorms.

But never like today, I have ever felt proud of any of them!

Today those 5,000 troops scattered in every corner of Albania to help every family and citizen in need, are the most beautiful and strongest proof of the great transformation that the Albanian Armed Forces have undergone, becoming a truly worthy force for a NATO member country!