A group of AAF Commando Battalion embarked today on their peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, in the framework of AAF’s contribution on NATO operation “Resolute Support Mission”. In the ceremony held in the premises of Special Forces Battalion in Zall -Herr, took part Defence Minister, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, Deputy Defence Minister, Mr. Petro Koci, Chief of General Staff of AAF, Major General Jeronim Bazo, Turkish Ambassador in Albania, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar, commanders of forces, and family relatives of militaries that are going on that mission, ect.
In her speech, Minister Kodheli stated that the politics of Albania during all these years has proven that Albania knows how to be a valuable neighbor country and a worthy NATO Ally. Mrs. Kodheli thanked all militaries for their preparatory work and congratulated their seniors about the transparence shown during the process of selection. “ Not in vain today Albanian Ministry of Defence is the first most trusted institution for Albanian citizens that have ranked MoD and AAF in the first place in terms of transparency”. – said Minister Kodheli, who this time choose a different specific way for greeting all participating troops of this mission by addressing each one of them namely.
At the end of her speech, Minister Kodheli also greeted the family members of militaries departing on that mission, assuring them that they have in their homes the best boys that Albanian society can have.
Turkey's Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar, during his speech said that the Turkish Armed Forces and the Albanian Armed Forces have increased their performance on defense, indicating the close relationship between our peoples, based on fraternal relationships over the centuries. He pointed out the six thousand servicemen of Albanian Armed Forces who were trained during this period of short or long-term in Turkey or in Albania by the Turkish Armed Forces. Mr. Bayraktar expressed his belief that this new unit which will leave for Kabul, will fulfill its tasks in its best way as well as the three previous contingents.
The forth peacekeeping contingent of AAF will serve for e period of six months in Afghanistan and will be part and act under the Regional Turkish Command in Kabul.
