Press release of the Ministry of Defense Press Office

Published: Tuesday, 24 November 2020 13:51

Today, we were shocked and outraged by the statement issued by Mrs. Albana Vokshi, who repeated without thinking some baseless allegations about the use of AAF helicopters to conduct an election campaign, filed by an individual, who after failing to be included in the lists of candidates for member of parliament of DP, since he was rejected with contempt by the membership of this party in the district of Dibra, whom we know very well, his character and deeds, now tries to gain points with the leadership of the DP by inventing delusive stories with helicopters.

Allegations like these, in fact, do not deserve reaction, as they are low staging and attempts to throw mud and spoil the good work that has been done in the AAF in recent years.

In respect of the citizens, we want to clarify that in no case, neither the Minister nor any senior civilian or military official of the Department of Defense, has used for political, electoral or personal purposes, any means of the AAF, even more the helicopters.

We also want to clarify to the citizens that not only the Minister, but also the leaders of the AF have the right, based on law and well-defined procedures, to use the means of the AAF, including helicopters, in fulfillment of their functional duties.

Based on a plan of movement, AAF helicopters are used regularly, every day, for a series of functions, such as drills, evacuations, monitoring, inspections, air emergencies, travels and transport for the needs of the AAF, etc. Always in respect of the law, moreover we always leave uncompromising marks on the system.

At this point, it is worth noting that this use would have been unaffordable for the budget of the Ministry of Defense if it would have cost 10,000 euro per flight as claimed in the PD allegations.
We are sorry that the Democratic Party has turned into its own cause, the baseless and politically motivated allegations of a discredited former-military man, at whose time the funds of the AAF were used for personal and electoral purposes, treasure hunting and even video clips of singers with army helicopters. Not to mention the wiki leaks scandal, in which the same man was reported by Albania's strategic allies to demand 7,000 euro bribes from boys and girls in uniform seeking to take part in NATO’s missions in Afghanistan.

Today the AAF experiences a completely different reality. They enjoy the trust of Albanian partners and citizens, who rate the AF in surveys as the most trusted institution for Albanians. We are determined to continue on the path started, advancing the modernization and professionalization of the AF, far from the model of the past, to which the author of these accusations belongs.