The Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka thanked the Armed Forces for their engagement in facing the difficult situation caused by the bad weather last weekend. In his speech at the meeting attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps and family members of the effectives, the head of the Government stated that in the 2019 budget the increase of salaries for the military will be the top priority.
“I, today, commit myself in front of you that 2018 will be the last year in which the state budget will have the existing salaries for you. We are determined to increase the Army budget, which we have already done with the 2018 budget, but growth will continue to meet the objective. And the first priority increase for 2019 will be the substantial increase of salaries of all the military", - said Rama. The Prime Minister promised the people who were facing the natural disaster that they would receive the merited remuneration for this commitment, which according to him saved human lives.
The Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka estimated that AAF's performance this year has been at an unprecedented professional level compared to the previous years.
"I am excited by all that I have seen with my eyes, during these days for the self-sacrificing commitment of the AAF personnel, in coping with the situation of recent days. The AAF personnel are always a guarantee during days and nights, in floods and fires, paving the way and building bridges, coming to every weak, helpless person. This postcard today is the real guarantee that this country has sons and daughters who commit themselves to it in the most difficult days. The Armed Forces will continue to serve the homeland, with the same dedication, discipline and determination as they have worked every time. Special thanks to you, your mothers, wives and children of our military: You are their support in this challenging profession”, - said the Minister in her address.
The Defense Minister praised the work of the Prefects as well as the work of the military personnel from Kosova engaged in the emergency to whom she referred as "the other wing of the eagle”.
The Armed Forces committed 3.000 effectives to face the civil emergency of a few days ago.
In honor of their work, the Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka and Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Bardhyll Kollçaku, honored with the medal 7 units involved in the emergencies.
Honored with "Medal of Gratitude" with the motivation: "Distinguished for the contribution and special values in service for the elevation of the figure of the Armed Forces”:
1. Military Unit No.3006, Air Base, Farka
2. Military Unit No.4030, Regional Support Battalion
3. Military Unit No. 4040, Engineering Battalion.
Honored with the medal "Distinguished Unit" with the motivation: "For great bravery and determination during mission accomplishment through great hardships”:
1. Military Unit No. 1030, Third Infantry Battalion, Poshnje
2. Military Unit No. 5010, Troop School, Bunavi
Honored with “Warrior Medal" with the motivation: "For participating in international military operations” for:
1. Military Unit No. 1040, Commando Battalion
2. Military Unit No. 1020, Second Infantry Battalion
