Albania is making significant investments in strategic infrastructure to strengthen NATO's mobility, interoperability and operational readiness.
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Albania, Ermal Nufi, during the meeting he held on Friday in Mons, Belgium, with the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, General Alexus G. Grynkewich.
"The Porto Romano Naval Base and mobility along Corridor VIII were discussed. Minister Nufi stated that these are some of the major projects for which Albania is making significant investments in strategic infrastructure to strengthen NATO mobility," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Minister Nufi expressed Albania's readiness to increase its contribution to all NATO operations in the Western Balkans region.
According to the announcement, the meeting highlighted that the region remains exposed to malicious influences, as well as hybrid and cyber attacks, which requires continued attention and coordination among allies.
NATO is present in the region through the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and cooperates closely with Eufor Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A short time ago, the US Embassy in Tirana, during the visit of the US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, emphasized that they discussed "Albania's ability to become a NATO logistical hub in the region."
The Albanian government has said that its major objective in the field of defense is for the country to turn into a regional center of the defense industry.
In fulfillment of this goal, Albania will reopen its Aviation School in Vlora, nearly two decades after it was closed.
It has also signed an agreement with Italy for the production of warships at the Pashalimani naval base in Vlora and will begin the production of combat drones.
The Ministry of Defense of Albania - a NATO member state - has also emphasized that work is being done to improve radar systems and strengthen air defense. /REL/
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