Athens Defence Conference: Nufi reaffirms Albania’s commitment as a responsible NATO ally

Published: Monday, 29 June 2026 21:07

During his visit to Athens, and at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi participated in the Athens Defence Conference, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).

Addressing the conference, Minister Nufi emphasized that, at a time when Europe faces an increasingly complex security environment, strategic coordination among Allies is more important than ever.

He reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to making a sustained and responsible contribution to the NATO Alliance, highlighting the country's role as a dedicated and reliable Ally.

“We are increasing our defence investments and continuing the modernization of our Armed Forces. Our contribution extends to NATO operations, European Union missions, and international security initiatives. We support a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO,” Minister Nufi stated.

The Minister also stressed that the Western Balkans must remain a strategic priority for both the European Union and NATO.

“In the face of emerging security challenges and evolving threats to international stability, the Western Balkans has become increasingly vulnerable to malign influence, disinformation, hybrid warfare, and destabilizing agendas,” Minister Nufi noted.

The Athens Defence Conference brought together leading voices in international security and defence, providing a platform for strategic dialogue on key global challenges. Participants included defence ministers, senior NATO military leaders, diplomats, security experts, and representatives of the European and Allied defence industry.