NATO Ministerial, Xhaçka: 2% of GDP for the Army by 2024

Published: Thursday, 04 October 2018 18:49

Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka participated in the North Atlantic Alliance's Defense Ministerial that was held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Minister Xhaçka underlined the Albanian government's commitment to raise the allocated Defence budget, highlighting the commitment to allocate 2% of GDP for Defense by 2024.

"By 2024, the defense budget will be 2% of GDP" , - said Xhaçka, while announcing the certification of one thousand infantrymen under the supervision of NATO's best experts.

Minister Xhaçka assured the member states that Albania will continue to engage in peacekeeping missions alongside its allies.

"The battalion certification is the fulfillment of standards and obligations as members of the Alliance. Albania will continue to engage in peacekeeping missions ", - stressed the Minister of Defense.

During the ministerial works, Minister Xhaçka met with US Secretary of Defense Mattis and NATO Secretary General, Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg praised Albania's commitment to NATO operations.

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