NATO continuous its mission in Afghanistan, Albania doubles its troops

: Published: Saturday, 09 July 2016 18:52

During the second day of NATO Summit in Warsaw, the Minister of Defence Mrs. Mimi Kodheli attended the meeting held with Afghanistan senior representatives. In that meeting the leaders of nations contributing to the Resolute Support Mission reaffirmed their commitment to the long-term security and stability of Afghanistan.

The most important decision of this meeting was that the leaders of participating countries agreed to sustain the Resolute Support Mission beyond 2016.

In the framework of this decision Albania will double the number of troops participating in this mission. Additional Albanian military in Resolute Support Mission will serve in Herat under the command of the Italian Armed Forces, which is rated among the allies.

Kodheli Minister also attended the meeting of Ministers of Defense for Interoperability.

Initiative for Interoperability between Partners was launched at the Wales Summit in 2014, to ensure that the deep, constructed relations between the member countries of NATO and partner forces over the years will be maintained and become profound. In this manner, partners can contribute to the management of future crisis, including NATO-led operations and NATO’s Response Forces.

Interoperability is focused on the contribution of operations and missions led by NATO, or supporting peace by training security forces in the Western Balkans and in Afghanistan, or monitoring maritime activity in the Mediterranean Sea. Interoperability Initiative between Partners has in its focus the participation in NATO exercises. In order to have a more effective contribution, partners should be in interaction with NATO.
Again in this regard, Albania has fulfilled its obligations by being part of Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and taking part in joint exercises with other member countries.

In November, Albania is expected to join the operation in the Aegean Sea in support of Frontex, the EU agency to provide border security.