New generals for the Albanian Armed Forces, Minister Vengu: Investing in human capital

Published: Monday, 10 March 2025 15:00

The Albanian Armed Forces have officially welcomed six high-ranking officers to their leadership ranks. By decree of the President of the Republic—who also serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces—and upon the proposal of the Defence Minister, Brigadier Generals Ferdinant Dimo and Petrit Çuni have now been promoted to the rank of Major General. Rear Admiral Adnand Agastra has been promoted to Vice Admiral, while Colonels Ardian Lilo, Vehbije Kuti, and Hamdi Doda have been elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence, Minister Pirro Vengu praised the contributions of each officer and highlighted the growing need for investment in human capital to meet the challenges of today’s world. According to Minister Vengu:
"Albania will always need generals because the Armed Forces are increasingly called upon for special missions. As a result, both the military and civilian components must rise to the occasion. And who better to take on these challenges than experienced and highly professional officers?"

He also emphasized the strong leadership structure within the Armed Forces and expressed gratitude to President Bajram Begaj and Prime Minister Edi Rama for supporting this initiative.
"With over a thousand applicants every year seeking to join the Armed Forces Academy, there is no better indication of the trust and expectations our people have in this institution. They no longer see it as just a secondary career path but as a profession where they can contribute and reap the benefits." - he noted.

Minister Vengu reaffirmed the objective of increasing the number of active personnel, stressing the importance of expanding the scope of Armed Forces missions, particularly in the defense industry.

"Broadening our mission landscape within the military industry will allow us to promote and fully utilize these capabilities by integrating our forces with industry." - he stated. He further emphasized that this approach is key to transforming taxpayers’ trust in the Armed Forces into concrete obligations within NATO while addressing global security threats. Moreover, he highlighted that increasing the defense budget should also be seen as an economic opportunity for Albania and its citizens.
The promotion ceremony was attended by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, along with the families of the newly appointed generals.