NATO Military Committee convened in our country and brought together the Chiefs of Staff of the Alliance member countries.
The Albanian Prime Minister, Mr. Edi Rama, accompanied by the Defense Minister, Mrs. Olta Xhaçka participated in the opening session of this conference as well. Prior to the start of the conference proceedings, a minute of silence was held in honor of the fallen troops on duty during the NATO operations.
The opening speech was held by the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, General Petr Pavel, who on behalf of all the allies expressed the gratitude for the Albania's strong commitment to the Alliance, as well as for contributing to NATO missions, operations and activities, and in missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo.
General Pavel praised the Albania's role in supporting the co-operation and stability in the Western Balkans, as well as in the fight against the so-called Islamic State, as he said, "contributing with tools and equipment to the Global Coalition against ISIS and Special Forces trainers in Iraq."
He also mentioned Albania's insistence on establishing the NATO Center of Excellence in our country, which will deal with the phenomenon of "foreign fighters".
In his speech, Prime Minister Rama expressed the pleasure that Albania for the first time welcomes this conference and stressed our country's determination to fulfill all the commitments and obligations that derive from being a NATO member country. "We have become part of the Alliance's commitments to an over-professional level. The Albania's missions in NATO have never received any vote against in the Albanian Parliament. Our participation has not been easy due to our country limited resources, but our presence will be strengthened by the increase of defense expenditures, just as our Armed Forces will be present in every front they will be called. Even in the future, we will continue to contribute to NATO engagements."
Regarding the situation in the region, Prime Minister Rama reiterated the Albania's position that is pro-open door policy for all the Western Balkan countries. "NATO map lacks Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo. This area, which is not yet included in the European security architecture, is a territory where the third actors see the vulnerability and opportunity for penetration."
Heads of Staff of NATO member countries will discuss the security situation in the Western Balkans and will make recommendations for the continuity of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo.
Also, they will elect the next Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, who will take over the duty in summer of 2018.
