Peleshi pays official visit to Rome: Albania, key mission in maintaining Euro-Atlantic strategic orientation in the region

Published: Tuesday, 18 January 2022 17:10

Albania holds a key mission not only in maintaining peace and security but also in the Euro-Atlantic strategic orientation in the region. This was confirmed by the Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi during his official visit to Rome, where he met with his counterpart, Mr. Lorenzo Guerini.

At the center of the discussions between the two Defence Ministers was the cooperation between the two countries in this field, whose cooperation has been very intense over the years.



Minister Peleshi wholeheartedly thanked his counterpart Guerini for the unconditional support that Italy has given to Albania, on its path towards the European Union. Regarding the situation in the Western Balkans, Minister Peleshi highlighted that: “A negative escalation of the situation threatens a domino effect on the entire region. On this regard, Albania and the Albanians in the region hold a key mission, not only to maintain peace, security and prosperity but also to maintain the strategic Euro-Atlantic orientation of the region. Albania is committed to promoting the Open Door Policy for all countries in the region."



Mr. Peleshi thanked the Defence Ministers of the Republic of Italy, Mr. Guerini for the support that Italy gives to Kosovo, as well as for the contribution of the Italian Armed Forces to KFOR.

"Kosovo remains a national interest for Albania, which now with the status of a member country in the UN Security Council for the period 2022-2023 will strongly lobby in increasing the number of countries that recognize its independence!”

Regarding cooperation within NATO framework, the two ministers stressed the common interest in paying close attention to the risks and challenges arising from the Alliance's Southern Strategic Direction. It was considered important the coordination of the approach on the "New NATO Strategic Concept", which is expected to be approved at the Madrid Summit in June.
The Ministers of Defense of Italy and Albania agreed on the continuation of bilateral cooperation on the challenges of cyber defense, and in the field of education or training, concerning the latest Minister Peleshi said that they open many windows of opportunity for Albanian personnel. The two ministers also agreed to extend the current agreement in the field of military medicine.

While thanking him for the hospitality, Minister Peleshi invited his counterpart for a visit to Albania.