Minister Kodheli meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defence, Mr. Chuck Hagel

: Published: Thursday, 30 October 2014 19:51

The Minister of Defence, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli held an official meeting with the U.S. Secretary of Defence, Mr. Chuck Hagel. Minister Kodheli informed Secretary Hagel about reforms undertaken so far and joint commitments in the framework of the Alliance. During the meeting, they discussed about education and training of Albanian militaries in American military education system. Minister Kodheli portrayed the American education as an example to be followed.

Both counterparts discussed about the Armed Forces modernization. Minister Kodheli informed Secretary Hagel about the launch of the project to replace the old weapons with NATO-standard ones. Secretary Hagel praised Albania’s contribution in Afghanistan and the immediate response to help the Peshmerga in Iraq. Mr. Hagel praised the key role Albania had in this operation that required the international intervention in the fight against ISIL. “No matter the size of a state, but the role it plays and the model it offers”, stressed Secretary Hagel.