Rama: “Defender Europe 21”, guarantee of Albania's security

“Defender Europe 21” is the largest military exercise to have been conducted in the Western Balkans and Albania is the main location.

Thousands of US troops, but other NATO allies, some of whom are represented, are demonstrating an increase in military capabilities to co-operate together as military allies. Over 28,000 soldiers, most of whom are Americans, are engaged in this training.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed gratitude to all the military involved in the exercise, which he described as significant in its size and message.

I also want that, in addition to being grateful to all the boys and girls in uniform who are involved in this exercise and who at the same time make up the daily guarantee and security for Albanians and Albania and their dedication and sacrifices, to be grateful to their families who sacrifice every day, who are the first to be affected by the unskilled and non-skillable emotions of the involvement of members in the Armed Forces, for whom not every day is quiet and not every time is safe<1... Rama said.

He said the creation of a new academic capacity in the function of increasing FA's human capacities in partnership with the US is the goal and joint mission of Albania and American representation in Albania.

Rama said this exercise would not bridge the United States' influence on the country's Armed Forces, but would be a new starting point for relations between the two countries.

While, President Ilir Meta stressed that this exercise will serve to enhance our future defence capabilities and capacities.

The support and exchange of experience between our Armed Forces and the forces of the United States of America and other Allied countries will serve to enhance our future capabilities and defence capabilities”, Meta said.

Defence Minister Niko Peleshi said “Defender 21” has been the greatest opportunity to test Albania's military capacities.

This effort aims to maintain peace, strengthen democracy, make us sleep calm and be safer for the future. Today we have given citizens the opportunity to touch by hand what it means to be proud of being Albanian. After 12 years of NATO membership, today it has been the greatest opportunity of our history to test ourselves and our capacity. I invite young people to view it in their career as a golden opportunity to attend the Armed Forces”, he said.