Minister Pirro Vengu welcomes his Kosovar counterpart Ejup Maqedonci: Kosovo, a national priority for Albania

Published: Tuesday, 08 October 2024 20:02

 

Albanian Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, welcomed his Kosovar counterpart, Ejup Maqedonci, in a meeting aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries. Vengu reiterated that Kosovo is a top priority for Albania, emphasizing his ministry’s commitment to supporting Kosovo’s inclusion in regional and international initiatives, such as the Adriatic Charter A5.

 He reaffirmed Albania's strong backing for Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, particularly within NATO, and condemned recent attacks on the Kosovo Police. Vengu stressed that the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, supported by the U.S. and EU, should lead to a legally binding agreement enabling mutual recognition, Kosovo's membership in the UN and EU, and the protection of minority rights.

The ministers highlighted ongoing defense collaborations, including joint training programs for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), with a focus on special forces development and pilot training. In education, Vengu announced 10 bachelor-level spots for Kosovar students at the Armed Forces Academy, with plans to expand this offer.

Additionally, they agreed to enhance cooperation on border demining and joint civil defense efforts to improve emergency response capabilities, especially in border regions, and to further develop the regional civil emergencies center.