Defence Minister Kodheli at the Parlamentary Committee on Legal Issues

: Published: Wednesday, 19 March 2014 16:34

At today’s Legal Issues Committee meeting, it was discussed and approved the “Military and Financial Cooperation Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey”, and the “Protocol on the implementation of financial assistance between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Government of the Republic of Turkey”. This agreement is proposed by the Turkish side as continuation of the annual aid Turkish State provides for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania. The Military and Financial Cooperation Agreement donates approximately 1,137,500 US dollars to the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania.

Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, present at this meeting, gave explanations regarding the agreement, explaining that the offered grant will serve as a financial contribution to the purchase of military equipment or materials by Turkish companies operating in military industry; it will cover expenses for official visits, trainings, courses, fees for the Albanian personnel in Turkey, as well as a contribution to the Kuçova Airport modernization project. The agreement will remain in force for five years.

Minister Kodheli thanked Turkish government for the cooperation and generosity shown to the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF). She noted that this agreement is another support to the AAF and speaks about the assessment and high level of cooperation between our two countries and armies.
Later, Minister Kodheli provided clarifications and responded to the questions and suggestions made by the MPs, members of the Legal Issues Committee.

After the meeting, Defence Minister Kodheli answered to reporters’ interest regarding the declaration of the President of Republic that, there can be no reform in the Armed Forces without consulting it with the Allies and Parliament. Minister Kodheli, among others, stressed that, the reform was consulted with Allies, and the Strategic Defence Review document was drafted with the assistance of the Allies and United States, a year ago, although at that time the Security Committee was not allowed to enter the Ministry of Defence.