Minister Peleshi visits VTCS in Bunavi: New campus for the Armed Forces Academy, ready to welcome ‘’Defender 2023’’ exercise

Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2021 10:24

 

Defence Minister Niko Peleshi visited the premises of the Vocational Training Center for Soldiers (VCTS) in Bunavi, where he talked to first year students and attended several training hours.
During his speech, Minister Peleshi told the new recruits about the ambitions of the government and the Ministry of Defense for the modernization of the Armed Forces that has first started from the Academy of the Armed Forces.
Mr. Peleshi announced that discussions have already begun with one of top institutions of education such as the West Point Military Academy in the US, from which models, standards and achievements will be adopted also at the FA Academy.

Minister Peleshi also showed the projects that are in function of this academy. "A new campus from the beginning, in an area dedicated to it will start construction from next year. We are ready with the projects, we are ready with the plan and this year's draft budget has given us all the space to build from scratch with a very high European standard the campus, classrooms, hotel and all other infrastructure in support of your activity. We will make the Academy of the Armed Forces a model for other institutions of higher education, therefore, we are opening other dimensions besides the traditional one. ", - said Mr. Peleshi

The Defence Minister noted the assessments that the Albanian Armed Forces have received from NATO partner countries, so Albania can again become the host country of the largest exercise "Defender 2023".

"We are worthy members of NATO, we have represented our country, a small country with limited resources, but with great spirit in international missions gaining a good name in the ranks of NATO. I hear only good words in meetings, NATO summits, regional ministries representing Albanian girls and boys in the world, in international missions. This year we had the chance to integrate on a larger scale, in the largest exercise in 30 years in our region "Defender '21". After two years, most likely "Defender '23" will have Albania as its host country. This is an extraordinary opportunity to face other forces of other armies, to integrate with them, to increase interoperability and above all to gain confidence that even a small country like Albania can play a big role.", - said Minister Peleshi.

Welcoming the new recruits in the Armed Forces, Minister Peleshi said that the recruitment process will be raised to another level, in order to take in as many boys and girls.