Defender Europe 2021,  Defence Minister Peleshi receives the Commander of the United States Army Europe and Africa

Published: Monday, 03 May 2021 18:52

Defence Minister Niko Peleshi received in a meeting the Commander of the US Army Europe and Africa, General Christopher Cavoli, regarding the "Defender Europe 21" exercise.

While welcoming General Cavoli in Albania, Minister Peleshi informed him of the measures taken by our country for the progress of this important exercise.

Minister Peleshi expressed his confidence that this exercise will serve as a cornerstone for advancing and intensifying bilateral exercises, Albania-USA. Mr. Peleshi also confirmed the readiness of the Albanian side not only to increase the presence in other Defender exercises abroad but also to host the Defender '23 and '25 series.

The Defence Minister thanked General Cavoli for the unstinting support that the US has given and continues to give for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, in order to increase their level of readiness, operability, and interoperability, to be at the height of the security and defense challenges of the time in which we live.

On his part, General Cavoli thanked and highly appreciated the measures taken by our country, as a host country, for the development and achievement of the objectives of the Defender Europe ‘21 exercise. He underlined the importance of joint exercises and training, which increase the level of interoperability between allies. Defender 21 exercise has been described as an excellent opportunity for the Albanian and American military to train together in order to be able to face the challenges together in the future.

Furthermore, General Cavoli assured Minister Peleshi that the US Army Command in Europe and Africa will continue to plan and conduct joint exercises with the Albanian Armed Forces, as well as will continuously support the process of their modernization.

The interlocutors shared the same position on Albania's excellent commitments in the Alliance’s missions and operations, but also on security developments and challenges in the Western Balkans region, where Albania plays a key role in reducing the influence and destabilizing efforts of foreign actors in the region.

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