90 new Officers and Cadets graduate, Minister Vengu: The State renews itself every time a New Generation dons the uniform

Published: Wednesday, 30 July 2025 13:05

90 students/cadets graduating from the Armed Forces Academy will join the Armed Forces officer corps. Among the new officers who took the military oath in front of the National Flag were five students from Kosovo.

Albanian Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, Kosovo Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci, the Chief of Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, generals, attachés, members of the Parliamentary Security Committee, AFA faculty, and family members, attended the graduation ceremony, which took place at the new sports complex of the “Skënderbej” garrison.

In congratulating the 90 newly graduated students, Defense Minister Pirro Vengu described this as an important moment, not only for them personally, but for the entire military institution and the Albanian State: "Every time a new generation dons the uniform, the Albanian State is renewed, strengthened, and rejuvenated", - Minister Vengu stated in his address to the presents.
The Minister emphasized that the AAF are not a symbolic decoration of the Republic, but "its bones, muscles, and conscience". Therefore, Minister Vengu emphasized the contribution of hundreds of personnel, who responded to the emergencies caused by fires across the country: "They didn't just do their duty. They demonstrated what in normal circumstances is called self-control, but in extraordinary circumstances is called silent heroism", - Minister Vengu stated.

In his speech, the Minister of Defense also emphasized the five pillars on which National Defense will be shaped over the next decade, as part of the "Albania 2030" strategy. These include the development of a national defense industry "Made in Albania"; innovation and technology to improve strategic capabilities; operational and logistical modernization, etc.
Thanking the families and pedagogues, Minister Vengu affirmed: "Albania is no longer a country waiting to be defended. Albania defends! Albania contributes! Albania is preparing!"

The Commander of Academmy of AF, Brigadier General Bardhyl Nuredinaj, stated: "The military oath in front of the national flag is a moral, legal, and patriotic commitment, a commitment to always be at the service of the nation, to preserve and protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country, the constitutional order, and to contribute to peace and collective security."

53 students completed their Bachelor's Degrees in Military Science, Defense Maritime Navigation, and Defense Information Technology, while 37 cadets completed the one-year Officer Training Course.