Defence Minister Vengu hosts Belgian counterpart: Cooperation to strengthen our capabilities

Published: Tuesday, 20 January 2026 09:52

 Defence Minister Pirro Vengu hosted his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, during an official visit to Tirana.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed further strengthening bilateral relations in the field of defence, with particular focus on joint exercises, enhanced operational interoperability, and the development of cooperation in the defence industry. These elements were highlighted as essential for strengthening defence capabilities and reinforcing regional security.

Defence Minister Pirro Vengu praised the partnership with Belgium and its role as a reliable NATO ally, underlining the importance of cooperation with friendly and allied countries:

“It was a pleasure to welcome my Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, to Tirana, a valued friend of our country. Together with Belgium, we are working to deepen cooperation in joint exercises, operational interoperability, and the defence industry, as part of our efforts to strengthen our capabilities and enhance regional security,”
said Defence Minister Vengu.

The meeting also reaffirmed that deepening partnerships with allies remains a strategic priority for Albania, in support of stability, regional security, and the country’s European perspective.