Minister Xhaçka is invited to Pentagon, Ambassador Lu: We are investing in the future of AAF

: Published: Tuesday, 07 November 2017 14:54

The increase in the Defence budget and the new phase in Albania - US relations were the key messages of the Minister of Defense, Olta Xhaçka and the US Ambassador Mr. Donald Lu, during the handing over ceremony of 12 armored vehicles from the US Government to the Albanian Armed Forces. In his address, Ambassador Lu personally appreciated Minister Xhaçka for her work in the Ministry of Defense, and for that, he offered the support of the US government also, and announced to the Defense Minister the invitation to visit Pentagon.

"Minister Xhaçka is investing in the future. We give our full support to these investments for courageous soldiers and sailors of Albania. I have the honor to announce that the Department of Defense has invited your new Minister of Defense Olta Xhaçka to lead a high-level delegation to the Pentagon in January to discuss how we can expand our military relationship and the support we can offer to the Albanian Armed Forces" - said Ambassador Lu, who appreciated the Albanian Government's decision to significantly increase the Defense Budget and also announced the increase of US Government's military training budget for Albanian military personnel in the USA, in recognition of Albania’s commitment to NATO.

"For the first time since Albania joined NATO in 2009, we are seeing a large increase in the proposed defense budget – more than 8 billion Lek more than last year. This is a great time to be a soldier or sailor in Albania. I am proud to announce today that next year we will increase our military training budget for Albania over 35 million lek, appreciating Albania's commitment to NATO. "

On her part, Minister Xhaçka thanked the US Government for the support to the Albanian Armed Forces, as well as emphasized the new phase of Albania - US relations, which she defined as a strategic Ally."I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation of the Government of Albania, to our strategic USA Ally and partner, for the permanent, generous and unlimited support to the AAF. I want to emphasize that these relations have now entered a new qualitative phase."- said Minister Xhaçka, who put accent on the Albanian Government's commitment to further modernization of the Albanian Armed Forces. “The Government of Albania and the Ministry of Defense are engaged in a modernization process of the Armed Forces, enhancing and improving the operational capacities of our military structures and particularly of those structures that are part of NATO's collective defense."

Then the participants saw closely not only the 12 armored vehicles, but also the other tools and equipment that have been donated to the Albanian Armed Forces over the years by the United States Government.

12 vehicles delivered today are part of 18 armored vehicles, included in 248 vehicles set estimated to be $12 million that the US Government will donate to the Albanian Armed Forces.