Newsroom

Press Release of the Defense Minister, Olta Xhaçka

: Published: Friday, 01 December 2017 12:25

What we experienced was a difficult but a totally manageable night. To the unusual situation due to rainfall, the Armed Forces and the entire state structure have responded with the utmost commitment to cope with the situation.

500 Armed Forces officers have been engaged to cope with the situation in the worst-affected area, mainly in the districts of Tirana, Durrës and Gjirokastra. Actually, the effectives of the Support Comand, Land Force, Military Police, and the General Staff Support Battalion have managed to evacuate 315 people.

Ministry of Defense is attentively monitoring situation created in the country due to deterioration of weather

: Published: Thursday, 30 November 2017 15:19

Three days ago, the General Directorate of Civil Emergencies, now subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, through a formal letter has specifically requested that all district prefects, city mayors, heads of central regional and local institutions take urgent measures to cope with any emergency situation, as well as ensure conditions for normal community life.

We are in constant communication with the local government, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, in order to take measures for the protection of the water supply network providing potable water against problems that may be caused from floods; control of river embankments in cooperation with the Directorates of drainage boards and contracting entities that use river inertia; monitoring of road axes and keeping them open for the normal traffic flow.

Four military members honoured, Xhaçka: Respect to those who appear first where human lives are in danger

: Published: Wednesday, 29 November 2017 18:10

On the occasion of 73^rd anniversary of liberation of Albania, the Minister of Defense, Olta Xhaçka honored four military members with the medal of gratitude, who have contributed to the salvation of human lives inside and outside the country. The activity organized with soldiers and veterans in the "Skenderbej" garrison, was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

“I will honor those who go first to fire spots or homes flooded from torrential rains. It is the simple professionals, the unnamed heroes who are found first where a human life is in danger, where a bridge is to be built, or where refugees in international waters want help. I will start with First Sergeant Sajmir Balla, this guy who saved a newborn baby in Zenisht, in Burrel, in very severe weather conditions.

Ship from Aegean sea return, Xhaçka: Nothing compares to salvation coming from an Albanian’s hand

: Published: Sunday, 26 November 2017 16:41

"Oriku" ship, part of the Albanian Naval Fleet has returned home after a year in the Aegean Sea, in the framework of NATO "AEGEAN SEA" operation.
From 21 November last year and so far, six "Oriku" crew P-132 have participated in dozens of operations in the Aegean Sea, as part of international efforts to stop illegal trafficking and migration in this troubled region. The result of these operations is to provide relief and rescue of about 1 thousand people of different ages, genders and nationalities - Syrian, Nigerian, Iraqi, Somali, Yemeni, Congolese, etc., from the Turkish coasts to the Greek shores or other EU countries.

Minister Xhaçka official visit to Kosovo

: Published: Friday, 24 November 2017 16:09

Minister of Defense, Olta Xhaçka held her first official visit to Kosovo, where she was received at a special meeting by President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Minister Rustem Berisha.

Minister Xhacka has assured the senior Kosovar authorities that the Albanian government is the strongest advocate for Kosovo's membership in Euro-Atlantic structures.

"Brussels is clearer than ever with regard to the conditions Serbia needs to complete to integrate into the EU and the main condition is Kosovo's integration," said, Minister Xhaçka, at a meeting with Prime Minister Haradinaj.

Whereas in the meeting with the Minister of KSF, the Minister of Defense, said that the relationship between Albania and Kosovo have long been at the highest level.