Ministero della Difesa

​

"Albania's accession to NATO marked a turning point and became a highly symbolic event, not only for your country and for NATO, but also for Italy. Albania, in fact, besides being one of the first South-Eastern European countries to submit its application for NATO membership, quickly became a security producer and stabilizing element, even beyond Europe's borders, thanks to its participation in a number of peacekeeping missions, in particular Resolute Support and KFOR".

This is a quote from the speech that Minister Elisabetta Trenta held today on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of Albania's accession to NATO.

Welcomed by the Italian Ambassador to Albania, Alberto Cutillo, and accompanied by Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Francesco Luigi De Leverano, the Minister took part in the "Albania-10 years in NATO: A contribution for regional Stability" conference, and to the solemn celebrations held in Piazza Madre Teresa, in the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama, Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka and Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Albania, Gen. B. Bardhyl Kollcaku

During her speech she underscored the importance of Albania for stability in the Balkans.    Moreover, Minister Trenta quoted the valuable contribution provided by Italy for the reconstruction of the Albanian Armed Forces, that facilitated the country's accession to NATO in 2009.

 "Security in the Western Balkans is crucial for European and Euro-Atlantic security: what happens here concerns all of us", the Minister explained during her speech at the "10 Years in NATO" conference. She then added: "The region has already made significant steps forward to overcome the difficult legacy of the past. At the same time, we are facing common challenges such as terrorism, radicalism, illegal migration, to quote only the most evident ones".  Hence, the importance of NATO and the EU: "…to continue to encourage and support reform processes, wherever they are ongoing"

 "Even if the Alliance is currently facing multiple challenges, it cannot afford to keep the Western Balkans off its radar. They are particularly important for Europe and Euro-Atlantic security", the Minister reiterated.

"I can surely declare that efforts implemented both by NATO and at the bilateral level in this region have been crucial for international security. Today, while KFOR is the only ongoing NATO military mission in the region, the North Atlantic Treaty has established a headquarters in Sarajevo and two military liaison offices in Belgrade and Skopje, in order to support defence reforms and facilitate dialogue and participation in Partnership for Peace (PfP) programmes".  

Furthermore, the Minister has given assurances that Italy is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation in order to sustain the excellent level of partnership achieved by our two countries.

 "Since your accession to NATO you have showed to be a reliable, responsible ally, who shares the values of peace and security, i.e. the pillars of the North Atlantic Treaty", the Minister declared during the solemn ceremony.

NATO has decided recently to establish its first air base in the Western Balkans area. The base will be used to implement Alliance's activities on its South-Western flank.