The multinational exercise "Defender Europe '23" concluded its activities in Albania. In the ceremony held on this occasion, in the Zall Herr garrison, Defence Minister Niko Peleshi assessed that this exercise, in addition to testing the elements of deployability and interoperability in response to crises, in a wide range of operations as well as the capabilities and potential of the host countries , transmitted a very powerful message, that of unity.
"Such exercises clearly demonstrate the commitment of the US and NATO as guarantors of order and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Defender is a clear and concrete example of the fact that NATO and its allies are stronger together, contributing and investing in the increase of collective defense capacities.” , said Minister Peleshi.
Mr. Peleshi said that Albania proved that it offers an excellent experience in terms of hosting and conducting military exercises on such scale, reconfirming the capabilities of the Armed Forces to be interoperable with the other Alliance armies.
"As the Defence Minister, I express all inclusive support of the Government as well as my personal commitment that we will work tirelessly for the modernization of the Armed Forces in order for them to be equipped, trained and supported at all times, to make able to fulfill the constitutional mission and NATO obligations." ,declared Minister Peleshi.
During the last month, over 24,000 military troops from 26 NATO countries and its partners demonstrated their strength in many countries at the same time, through strategic scenarios and the implementation of operational tasks on land, air and sea. At the end of the activity, "Certificates of Appreciation" were distributed to 17 foreign soldiers, participants in the exercises that took place in our country within the framework of "Defender '23", as a sign of appreciation and thanks from the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff of AAF, Brigadier General Arben Kingji.
