Senior representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence held bilateral consultations in Tirana within the framework of cooperation in the field of Security and Defence, thus laying the foundations for an intensive medium-term and long-term cooperation.
During the meeting, the two delegations, discussed the current situation in the region and beyond as well as a number of projects in the field of modernization and logistics.
Defence Minister Niko Peleshi confirmed during his speech the commitment of our country to maintaining stability, peace and security in the region, and beyond. He guaranteed that Albania will always be a guarantor of democratic and western values, as the basic principles of Tirana’s diplomacy.
Minister Peleshi expressed his gratitude for the unconditional support of the USA to Albania. According to Minister Peleshi, the excellent cooperation that characterizes the relations between the two countries has been translated into a contribution to our country’s efforts to be a security exporter, not only in the region, but as a reliable partner of the USA and NATO.
The American delegation was headed by Mr. Spencer Boyer, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for European Policy and NATO. The meeting was assisted by experts in the field of both parties. The delegations agreed that the integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures of the entire Western Balkans, as well as the international presence in the region, are considered necessary and a factor of stability.
This meeting expanded the lines of cooperation with the aim of transforming institutional security and military capacities, supporting and implementing together concrete projects such as: the support of AF of the Republic of Albania for increasing the capacities of the Light Infantry Group – Battalion, Cyber Defence, Professional Military Education, Air Force Training and Exercises and Modernization.
At the end, the heads of the delegations signed the document, which describes the concrete steps for the successful realization of the objectives foreseen in the short-term and medium-term plan. The United States committed to provide even more extensive support for improving capacities in the face of real challenges for the Armed Forces as efficiently as possible, in fulfilling their mission and tasks.
The development of talks of this format coincides with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the first framework agreement for cooperation in the field of Defence between Albania and the United States.
