"Albanian Lion 2018" gathers 1200 servicemen from 4 countries, Xhaçka: Kuçova Air Base, the only NATO base in the Western Balkans

Published: Monday, 24 September 2018 17:29

1200 Albanian servicemen and others from Great Britain, Croatia and Kosovo had a drill today in "Mother Teresa" square as a demonstration of physical preparation as well as military means within the “Albanian Lion 2018” exercise. At the ceremony, Defense Minister Olta Xhaçka emphasized the importance of this training.

"The execution of this exercise is a demonstration of the common will of our countries to co-ordinate efforts to increase the degree of professionalism, interoperability skills and cohesion between our Armed Forces, coping with common challenges and increasing security and quality of life of our citizens, "said Xhaçka.

One of the innovations of this joint exercise is that for the first time Kosovo Security Force has been included. The minister stated that next year the participation in "Albanian Lion" will be 5-fold.
Further during her speech, Minister Xhaçka said that Albania remains a country with substantial contributions in NATO.

"The decision of the North Atlantic Council to fund joint projects with the Alliance for the modernization of Kuçova Base and its transformation in a NATO base is confirmation of the role and responsibility of our country. It testifies the importance and priority that Albania represents for security and peace in the region, taking into account the fact that the Kuçova Air Base is the only NATO base in the Western Balkans, "Xhaçka said.

The Minister pointed out the fact that Albania will take over the chairmanship of several important security structures in the region and Europe.

"Albania has already reached maturity and the ability to run important security processes. And starting from November this year, we will take the lead of RACVIAC, the Center for Security and Co-ordination with the headquarters in Croatia, which has as a mission the dialogue and cooperation in the field of security between Southeast European countries. Also in 2019, Albania will take the lead of the Adriatic Charter and SEEDM, which are important structures and instruments of security and regional cooperation, "Xhaçka said.

Major General Charles Stickland, commander of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, also spoke in this activity.

"Albania plays a key role in supporting the efforts of the United Kingdom to unite the allies and we are grateful for this support as well as the warmth and hospitality shown to us by the Armed Forces and Albanians. This exercise is an opportunity for royal navy forces to contribute to and assess the warfare readiness of NATO countries for 2019, "said Major General Stickland.

Attending the “Albanian Lion 2018” training exercises were also Deputy Defense Minister Petro Koci, Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces, Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollcaku, members of the parliament, ambassadors, commanders of Military Forces and Attaché Military Attachés.

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