Newsroom Minister Kodheli receives her Macedonian counterpart Radmila Shekerinska-Jankovska in an official meeting
Today Minister of Defense, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli received Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Radmila Shekerinska-Jankovska, at a meeting on her first official visit abroad.
At the meeting with her Macedonian counterpart, Defense Minister Mrs.Mimi Kodheli emphasized that bilateral relations between neighboring countries are of a satisfactory level, but there is always place for improvement, especially in the field of security and defense.
Furthermore, Minister Kodheli added that Albania appreciates and encourages Macedonia's efforts and work on the area of defense reforms, and praises Macedonia's efforts to join the Alliance. Defense Minister again reemphasized the support that our country gives to Macedonia into its integration path towards NATO.
In turn, Minister of Defense of Macedonia, Radmilla Shekerinska-Jankovska thanked Minister Kodheli for the co-operation, giving a special emphasis on the support that Albania has given to Macedonian into the NATO membership process.
The following are the full statements of Ministers Kodheli and Shekerinska-Jankovska after the official meeting:
The entire speech of the Minister of Defense, Mimi Kodheli:
Today, I have the pleasure to receive in Tirana, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia, my friend and colleague, Ms. Radmila Shekerinska - Jankovska. Today's visit takes place at an important moment for the relations between our two countries, after the meeting of our two prime ministers and yesterday's visit of the Foreign Minister of Macedonia here in Albania.
I thank the Minister who accepted my invitation. These are good opportunities for us to agree on the common future of our two countries. We are ready to cooperate with the new Macedonian government to address the issues and challenges that our two countries face every day, including the need for reforms and, not only. After a period of crisis and unstable situation, it is time for all political actors to build the momentum to continue the processes that a country like Macedonia needs, which should undoubtedly begin without delay.
Our bilateral relations in various fields are of a satisfactory level, but always with the potential for better, especially in the field of security and defense. I am fully convinced that under the leadership of my honored colleague, this cooperation will be further expanded, fostering a healthy and prosperous relationship between our two ministries and our armed forces.
Albania strongly believes that the future of the Balkan countries is Euro-Atlantic integration. The NATO enlargement process is an unstoppable process and the full integration of Western Balkan countries into the North Atlantic Alliance is of vital importance for the peace and stability of the region and beyond.
We constantly appreciate and encourage Macedonia's efforts and work on the defense reform. Albania, as a NATO member, closely follows Macedonia's efforts to join the Alliance. As part of our support we fully endorse the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Macedonian people and in general of your country are what you already know but which will continue in the future. We are here to say that we will continue to support Macedonia in its integration path towards NATO.
Macedonia is a very important partner of our Alliance. Its contribution to NATO operations is more than obvious and is a clear sign of the special partnership we have. Our soldiers serve side by side in northern Afghanistan, in Mazar-i-Sharif, as part of the entity made up of countries in our region, a brought up idea by us some time ago. Examples of this collaboration make it easier to work, but are also meaningful.
I believe that from this meeting we have come up with new projects, we have come up with new commitments and once again I just want to thank the Minister for the visit. I would like to wish her success in her new assignement, a good job, because she needs a great luck to face all the challenges that this position and appreciation given to her by the new government.
Once again I would like thank you for the visit.
The entire speech of the Minister of Defense of Macedonia, Radmila Shekerinska - Jankovska:
Honorable Minister Kodheli, honorable representatives of the media,
It is a great pleasure to make my first official visit as Minister of Defense in a friendly country like Albania. Macedonia appreciates its defense co-operation with Albania, which is illustrated by the fact that it has existed since the distant year of 1998 and has been expanded every year with new useful activities for both countries. Even with the current level of cooperation there is always space for further promotion and in this context we have discussed some key areas including cooperation in treating all kinds of risks, cooperation in the path against fundamentalism and dealing with terrorist issues.
The facts show that Macedonia and Albania have collaborated and implemented large-scale bilateral and regional projects such as the Adriatic Charter, which we have started together with Croatia in 2003. Mutual assistance under this initiative, the main goal which was to enable our countries to meet the NATO membership criteria as soon as possible, has been visible throughout these years.
Together, in the period 2005-2009, we sent a combined medical team to ISAP in Afghanistan within the NATO mission at that time. Today, representatives of this team are engaged as mentors at the Afghan National Army military police school. The success we achieved in joint efforts as part of this group was evident when Albania joined NATO in 2008, something that did not become a reality for Macedonia for the known reasons that, regardless of its full readiness.
In this context, I expressed my gratitude to my colleague, Minister Mimi Kodheli for the continued assistance given for Macedonia to become part of NATO. Macedonia in NATO will bring a new impetus to the security and stability of this region, which has been important in maintaining security throughout the continent especially with regard to the immigration crisis.
Macedonia is investing considerable efforts to eliminate all remarks made and we hope that our new approach will be seen and evaluated by our partners. For this, we need a strong support from our closest friends like Albania.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude for the great conversation and, I am sure, that the leaders of our two countries and our two ministries will try as many times before that the encouragement of European values and a sincere approach among neighbors, are the right direction to pave the way for the future of our citizens.
