Albania, Italy, Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign in Washington the document on Military Mobility along Corridor VIII

Published: Thursday, 11 July 2024 14:18

 

During the NATO Summit in Washington, Defense Minister Niko Peleshi signed the Letter of Intent for the provision of Military Mobility along the VIII pan-European Corridor, alongside his counterparts from Italy, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. This document commits the signatory states to take all necessary measures to ensure maximum flexibility and military mobility within their territories, supporting NATO's agenda for deterrence and defense in the Euro-Atlantic area.

This commitment will benefit not only NATO missions but also those within the European Union. The document, signed by Minister Niko Peleshi, Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zaprianov, and North Macedonia's Defence Minister Vlado Misajlovski, ensures that NATO military troops can move quickly and freely from the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea and deeply into the Balkans if necessary.

Albania proposed the idea of this document, which guarantees mobility across countries affected by the pan-European Corridor VIII, and led the entire negotiation and coordination process. Italy, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia actively participated throughout the process, culminating in the finalization of this initiative during the Washington Summit proceedings.

The signing of the Letter of Intent supports Albania's vision for Corridor VIII and aligns with the master project plan for constructing the NATO Naval Base in Porto Romano. This base will serve as the main gateway to the Western Balkans and further to the Black Sea.

The Letter of Intent will enhance the visibility of joint projects and their geostrategic importance for the entire region.