Cooperation Protocols signed between the Ministry of Defence of Albania and the Ministry of KSF

: Published: Thursday, 17 July 2014 13:34

Two protocols have been signed between the Ministry of Defence of Albania and the Ministry for Security Force of the Republic of Kosovo: the Protocol on Cooperation and Assistance in the field of regional and Euro-Atlantic integration, and the Protocol on Cooperation in the field of Education and Military Training. From the Albanian side, the protocol was signed by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Dritan Hila, while from the Kosovo side, it was signed by Deputy Minister for the Security Force, Mr. Muhamet Latifi.

These protocols were signed in the framework of bilateral cooperation with the Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), as well as taking into consideration the excellent level of relations between the two countries and the common will to raise them at the level of a strategic partnership. The Ministry of Defence of Albania and the Ministry of KSF have agreed to institutionalize a new practice of cooperation with joint projects based on priority objectives of both parties in the field of regional and Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as in the field of education and military training.

The Protocol of Cooperation and Assistance in the field of Regional and Euro-Atlantic Integration defines the areas of cooperation: coordination, assistance and expertise in the legal field necessary for membership in NATO and in regional initiatives; cooperation and expertise in the process and key documents of NATO and regional initiatives; joint assessments of the regional security environment and beyond, as well as the drafting of strategic documents of both countries; coordination, support and assistance in the field of standardization and the development of doctrine and manuals; joint research projects for integration issues, etc.

While the Protocol of Cooperation in the field of Education and Military Training defines cooperation between both ministries in: the creation of similar structures of education and training, as well as of some joint schools; trainings for search and rescue operations; NCO training at all levels from both sides; mutual use of shooting ranges and simulation centres; cooperation in the field of study and research; organization and development of joint exercises at the level of platoon, company, etc.