Minister Crosetto Official Visit to Albania

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“Deep, solid ties unite Italy and Albania. Today’s signing of the Agreement on the future donation of Italian naval vessel Libra to the Albanian Navy is a starting point for an increasingly closer cooperation between our countries. An event that testifies to our mutual trust and shared will to strengthen defence capabilities, also within a NATO framework, thus contributing to the defence and security of the Adriatic Sea region”.

Thus Defence Minister Guido Crosetto during his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Defence Minister Pirro Vengu on the occasion of his official visit to Albania, where he was welcomed, on his arrival, by Deputy Minister of Defence Blerina Abrazhda.

“The gratitude expressed by the Albanian Government to the Italian Government marks a relationship – not only between our Armed Forces but also in the defence industry sector- that is set to grow. Within this context, the Memorandum signed today by Fincantieri and the Kayo Company, headquartered in Tirana, aims to start a strategic cooperation for the development of Albania’s shipbuilding and naval industry. This is the right choice at a complex time in history like the one we are going through, when it is fundamental to tackle challenges with friendly countries, rather than by ourselves”, Minister Crosetto added.

In thanking the Italian Government, Prime Minister Edi Rama underscored: “A new era has started in the relationship between Italy and Albania”. Thus, the old friendship is going to evolve into a strategic cooperation based on trust and sharing”.

Before the signing of the agreement, which took place aboard Italian Navy Ship Libra, Minister Crosetto went aboard the Vespucci Tall Ship.

“I am honoured to accompany the Albanian Prime Minister and Defence Minister aboard our Vespucci Navy Ship, the pride of the Italian Defence and symbol of Italian excellence, which today is docked at Durazzo’s Port on the occasion of the first stop in a foreign country of her tour of the Mediterranean Sea. Deep, solid relations bind Italy and Albania, and the Adriatic Sea is the historical connection that makes the two countries closer to each other”.

At the end of his visit to Albania, Minister Crosetto greeted all the representatives of the Armed Forces and Customs Police in Durres, thanking them for all they do to serve the country.