KSF part of training “Defender Europe 21”

As NATO's Allied Force, the Kosovo Security Forces will be part of the 3100 participating troops in the exercise, alongside those of the US, Canada, Britain, Turkey, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia.

Developing training and participating a large number of military troops in the exercise will boost co-operation among countries. This exercise is conducted within the framework of cooperation with the American side.

The US Army Command in Europe (USAEUR) will direct the exercise package coded “Defender Europe 21”. Kosovo's participation in the code-named exercise “Defender Europe 21” is included in the project “for development and participation of the Member States Forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and partner countries of this organisation in the joint exercises “Defender Europe 2115x7> proposed by the Republic of Albania Council of Ministers that is in procedure in the adoption of this country's parliament.

The US Army Command in Europe is planning to locate in Albania approximately 3100 effective for developing the above-mentioned exercises. The first structures and elements of the US Army will begin to be deployed on Albania's territory as early as April 2021, where their missions will be <x0-> information activities” and the preparation of logistical infrastructure for the establishment of field camps in all distribution sites and training grounds provided by the Albanian Army Armed Forces. The decision on the development and participation of foreign military forces in joint international military exercises, organised activities, authorised or headed by NATO, the European Union or other countries, on the territory of the Republic of Albania, for the total number of participants is taken: a) up to 500 at the order of the defence minister; b) over 500,000, with the Council of Ministers' decision; c) over 1,000 people, by law from Kuwait. ”

Since 3100 military troops will participate in the exercise, the decision to develop training is at stake. Article 4 of the bill deposited in Albania's Parliament is said to exercise “Europe 21” will take place in the period of April 26th, June 2021, at Land, Air and Marine Forces Commands at the “garrison. Skenderbej”, Farka air base, Kucova air base and the training ranges of Biza and Fekent, as well as on air and land routes to these regions. Also, participating members of the exercise will be made available because sea and air spaces will move into them without being restricted to military areas. Article 5 determines the number of troops and means to be used in training. The exercise will include 3100 military troops of Allied countries, 10 ships, 18 planes, 19 helicopters, 6 patriotic missile systems and 1,000 non-combat vehicles, which carry out 24 hours in the designated training region, according to Article 4, of this law.

According to Article 6 of the bill, the troops of the Allied countries -- during the entry, residence and exit of the territory of the Republic of Albania -- have the status envisioned in the agreement between the North Atlantic Treaty sides, for the status of their forces -- signed in London in 19,6,1951, and ratified by the Republic of Albania's Parliament with the law No.101, the date 26.3,2009. The exercise, codenamed “Defender Europe 21”, will begin one day after holding general elections in Albania. According to the Council of Ministers' accompanying report on the draft law, guarantees have been received from foreign parties that no action or maneuver will be carried out outside the departments before 25.4.2021.

Real training machines will begin in the illustrated dates in the IIIth part of the relationship, that is, mainly in May. The period before these dates is pre-preparative to ensure successful development of accommodation, logistics and the development of training in general. The adoption of this bill does not violate any provision of the legal framework of the Republic of Albania.

Early in February, Albania has been visited by Major General Joseph Jarrard, Z. US Army Commander General in Europe and Africa. Major General Joseph Jarrard attended the meeting of the National Security Council led by Albanian President Ilir Meta. During his speech at this meeting, he underscores that there has been an excellent discussion on how Albanian soldiers and Albanian soil can continue to work together to build readiness and interaction through future military training.

Thank President Meta, Prime Minister Rama and Minister Pelesi for their reception today. We had an excellent discussion on how we can continue to work together to build our readiness and interaction through future US military exercises, with Albanian soldiers and on Albanian soil. A staunch NATO ally since 2009, Albania is a strategic security partner for the United States in both the region and the world. Albania is investing significantly to strengthen its readiness for NATO collective protection by working closely with the US to improve skills in all areas. We have witnessed the courage and determination of Albanians in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq and, through Albania's National Partnership with the New Jersey National Guard. While we are still planning the DEFANDER-Europe 21 exercise, we expect Albania to have an important role in this major military exercise. Albania will be a key host country for the many military activities that are approaching, and this reinforces Albania's strategic importance of geography in the region. Thank you again for your warm welcome to Albania, and I am pleased to welcome even more years of mutual support with our precious ally, Albania”, said Major General Joseph Jarard, Z. Commander General of the US Army in Europe and Africa.