Albania marks 16 years in NATO, Defence Minister Vengu: “We’ve shown leadership in initiatives that support Euro-Atlantic stability in the region”

Published: Saturday, 05 April 2025 17:23

Albania celebrated the 16th anniversary of its official NATO membership with a special ceremony held at the Land Force Command in Zall-Herr. Prime Minister Edi Rama, Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, Deputy Ministers of Defence, as well as generals, officers, and members of the Armed Forces were in attendance.

Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Kingji emphasized that over these 16 years, “Albania’s image as a contributor to regional and broader security and stability has been significantly strengthened.” Reflecting on investments made toward modernizing the Armed Forces, he noted: “Our vision is clear: to build a well-supported, well-trained, and well-equipped military, capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges, fulfilling its constitutional mission, and contributing to joint operations.”

Accompanied by Defence Minister Vengu, Prime Minister Rama toured the construction site of the new multifunctional building and gymnasium of the Special Forces Battalion.

Following the national and NATO anthems, guests were invited to visit weaponry, vehicles, and equipment displays from various units and witnessed live demonstrations by the Special Forces and Commandos.

In his address, Defence Minister Vengu paid tribute to the dedication, efforts, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces’ personnel, their families, and leadership over the years—calling it a valuable contribution to both Albania and NATO.

“This 16th anniversary of our membership in the most powerful and longest-standing alliance in modern history finds us in a completely different position. Politically and in terms of regional security cooperation, Albania has proven its ability to lead initiatives that benefit regional stability and Euro-Atlantic integration. Our alignment with the EU is reflected not only in words but also in action, especially when it comes to military engagement. This year alone, 500 of our troops will be deployed in missions abroad.” the Defence Minister said, also highlighting the transformation across the full operational spectrum of combat forces.

He went on to underline the government’s strong backing for defence:
“It’s a fact that over the past two years—perhaps for the first time in our modern history—we can say that defence and security are no longer limited by financial constraints or investment shortages. Our challenge now is to use these resources efficiently to foster sustainability, economic development, and employment. This is based on two core principles: dual-use capabilities and a preference for domestic defence industry. These are the pillars of our irreversible defence resurgence.”

Prime Minister Rama also highlighted the reforms undertaken to modernize and elevate the status of the Armed Forces, acknowledging the difficulties faced over the years:

“We’ve made major changes. Recruitment has increased fivefold. What was once the lowest-paid military in the region is now the best-paid, approaching NATO standards. Salaries have gone up to €1,550, and we’ve fulfilled our promises. Our goal remains to reach the average salary level of NATO’s advanced member states. We’re close, and we’re continuing the work to get there.” - he said, adding that defence investments have increased tenfold.

Speaking about the revitalization of the military industry, Prime Minister Rama emphasized that Albania’s ambition is to become an exporter of military products by the end of this decade.