Ministers Kodheli and Bushati with students on Albania’s 8th Anniversary of NATO Membership

: Published: Tuesday, 04 April 2017 14:36

The Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ditmir Bushati held an open dialogue with the students of the Faculty of Social Science of the University of Tirana on the occasion of the 8th Anniversary of Albania’s Membership in NATO. Both ministers emphasized the importance that this membership has for our country, but also the obligations arising from it.

In her speech, Minister Kodheli brought into attention the Armed Forces effort, whose daily work, as she underlined, is not necessary perceived as the other services offered by the state. She mentioned the presence of the Armed Forces near the citizens at home, as well as, their increased participation in international missions as an obligation rising from being NATO Member State. “20% of our Armed Forces have been on the theatre of operations abroad. Albania is present in all NATO missions, has doubled its presence in Afghanistan, has doubled its presence in KFOR, Kosovo, it is present in the NATO mission in the Aegean Sea and it is the first time that Albanian participates in a maritime mission, and also in every NATO Command Structures where NATO is present”, - stated Minister Kodheli.

In his speech Minister Bushati praised Albanian’s participation in NATO missions during these years and the contribution that our country has given in the fight against terrorism. “Albania has been highly assessed not only for its shown political willingness, but also for concrete contribution through its engagement in the fight against terrorism, and despite such a thing is done inside or outside NATO framework, is made in cooperation with the Alliance key partners, which is a contribution made by a country in the fight against terrorism”, - said Minister Bushati, who praised the work of our Armed Forces in operations or situations that in other countries are solved by the community.

In this context, Minister Kodheli spoke about the contribution of our country in the global coalition against Daesh, the so-called Islamic State, by mentioning the concrete help of our country with weapons for Kurdish fighters, which determined the destiny of Mosul Battle.

Part of the discussion was also the Defence Budget and Minister Kodheli said that Albania is on the average level of other NATO countries, but on the right path to achieve the obligation of 2%.

Furthermore, Minister Kodheli seized the opportunity to invite students to join the Armed Forces and along with Minister Bushati answered their questions, which mainly related with the role of our Armed Forces alongside other NATO countries and Albania's foreign policy.

In the meeting were also present several members of our Armed Forces, participants in international missions, who shared their experience in these missions and the feeling of being part of the Albanian Armed Forces.