Distinguished Visitors Day held at Joint Exercise "Austere Wolf - 24," Minister Vengu: Albania, a strategic logistics part for Alliance Operations

Published: Tuesday, 24 September 2024 13:30

 

Today in Durrës, the Distinguished Visitors Day was held as part of the joint military exercise between Albanian and British forces, "Austere Wolf - 24," which is integrated into the larger "Corridor VIII Response" exercise.

The event was attended by Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Arben Kingji, the UK's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach, along with various ambassadors and military attachés.

In his remarks, Defense Minister Pirro Vengu emphasized that this exercise is a response to the security reality in our region. He continued: "These interactions serve as a clear example of our countries’ commitment and focus on improving our capabilities, operational readiness, and infrastructure, which are prerequisites for such readiness. Our geographic location may not bring our two countries close in coordinates, but it becomes insignificant when it comes to our shared strategic NATO interests. 'Corridor VIII Response' not only demonstrates the growth of our military capabilities but also highlights Albania's role as a logistical hub for allied operations."

The NATO Summit in Washington marked a significant step as Albania, along with Bulgaria, Italy, and North Macedonia, committed to facilitating the military mobility of NATO forces along Corridor VIII. This initiative further solidifies Albania’s dedication to infrastructure development, with the Durrës port and the Durrës - Porto Romano Complex identified as key components in supporting Corridor VIII’s role in ensuring fluid operational mobility across the region.

Minister Vengu also underscored the logistical importance of the region’s supply chains, reiterating that: "A modern defense requires strong and well-maintained infrastructure, and we are working hard in this regard. Our mission is to strengthen security at a time when Southeastern Europe is constantly under threat from malign influences that seek to destabilize the region. To achieve this, we must further elevate the level of interaction and cooperation with our allies."

Lord Stuart Peach, the UK's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, praised the cooperation between the British and Albanian Armed Forces during the "Austere Wolf - 24" exercise, emphasizing its role in boosting security measures in the region. He also highlighted the importance of Corridor VIII, connecting key infrastructure that enables NATO to mobilize efficiently, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Major General Arben Kingji, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, expressed his gratitude to the British forces for their active participation in the exercise, noting that this joint exercise is particularly significant as it will test the deployment capabilities of NATO's Strategic Reserve Force.

The "Austere Wolf - 24" exercise, part of the broader "Corridor VIII Response," will continue until October 7, with phases in North Macedonia and Kosovo.