The 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the AAF, Xhaçka: Soon in peacekeeping missions under the UN's umbrella

: Published: Tuesday, 04 December 2018 13:17

In the 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Forces, a contingent of 66 Albanian soldiers was escorted to “Resolute Support” NATO mission in Afghanistan.

The coming contingent consists of a company, which include two platoons from the Commando Battalion and a platoon from the 3rd Infantry Battalion of Poshnja.

Present at the departing ceremony were Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka, Chief of Defence of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollçaku, and Turkish Ambassador in Albania Murat Ahmet Yörük, Forces Commanders and family members of the effectives that departed in the mission.

Minister Xhaçka congratulated the Albanian military about the 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Forces and recalled the great man of the Albanian nation, Ismail Qemal, who in one of the first and the most important decrees that he signed, was the establishment of Ministry of War, on December 4, 1912.

Minister Xhaçka considered the departure of the Albanian troops in Afghanistan as the most beautiful coincidence by naming it “The Contingent of the 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Forces”.

Minister Xhaçka praised the contribution of Albanian troops in missions abroad and announced other international commitments of our Armed Forces. "Representation in these missions is already transformed in the symbol of professionalism and dedication of our soldiers. Their commitment, accountability and professionalism is demonstrated in undertaking and performing high-risk assignments in collaboration with allied troops, for which I have personally received the highest and most meritorious estimations from the highest military and political personalities of the Alliance during the visits in theatres of operations, but also in NATO high-level meetings.

We are present in Afghanistan, where for the first time this year our Special Forces are training Afghan Special Forces. At the same time we are as well contributing in Mali, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Latvia and soon we are going to begin our commitment under the umbrella of the United Nations. Our boys of the Armed Force are continuing the operations saving dozen of people lives every month in the Aegean Sea." - said Minister Xhacka.

On his part, Turkish Ambassador in Albania simultaneously congratulated about the 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Force and praised the constant contribution of the Albanian troops under the Turkish command, but also he praised the collaboration between Albania and Turkey, especially in the field of Defence.

Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka, at the end of her speech, handed to the Commander of the contingent, Major Kreshnik Bunguri, the national flag. The Albanian contingent is going to serve at the International Airport of Kabul for a 6-month period under the command of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Moreover, on the occasion of the 106th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Armed Forces, in Skanderbeg Garrison were as well held other activities.

At the Armed Forces Museum, a photo exhibition was opened for Albania's first Defense Minister, Mehmet Pashë Dërralla, who also has his 175th birthday.
Furthermore, the Archive of the Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Archives exposed some unpublished photographs and documents of the first years of the establishment of the Armed Forces.