US President Donald Trump's nominee for the position of ambassador to Albania, Eric Wendt, has reported before the US Senate, where he presented his priorities if confirmed in office.
During his opening remarks, Wendt expressed his honor by Trump's appointment, while emphasizing that he has over 34 years of experience in the United States military service, including service in the infantry and in the elite "Green Berets" units.
He also recalled his experience in international missions and cooperation with the Albanian army within NATO and in Afghanistan, highly praising the Albanian troops and describing them as professional and disciplined.
Regarding his priorities, the ambassadorial candidate emphasized that the main focus will be the fight against corruption, organized crime and drug trafficking, as well as strengthening cooperation between the US and Albania in the field of security.
He added that another priority will be strengthening economic relations and supporting the investment climate for American businesses in Albania.
Wendt also stressed the importance of protecting American citizens and strengthening NATO's cybersecurity and capabilities.
Full word:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the committee. I have had the privilege of serving the United States of America as an active duty soldier. I spent four and a half years in the infantry and 30 years as part of the Green Berets. During that time, I served for two years at the U.S. Department of State, leading an eight-nation coalition as the U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. In that capacity, I operated daily as part of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, reporting directly to the U.S. Secretary of State.
After retiring from military service, I had the opportunity to teach command and leadership at my alma mater, the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Today, my wife is in Okinawa, Japan, with our daughter, our son-in-law, who is a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and our granddaughter, taking care of another granddaughter who just gave birth. Our son, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and part of the 82nd Airborne Division, is here behind me today. He and his wife are serving their country at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
We are a family who loves the United States of America and are grateful for the opportunity to serve this extraordinary country.
As a NATO Special Forces commander, Albanian special forces were part of my command and I worked with them on the ground in Albania. In Afghanistan, I served as deputy commander of a regional command that also included Albanian troops. I found that Albanian special forces embody the fighting spirit of the Albanian hero Skanderbeg. While the Albanian people themselves are proud, hardworking and hospitable.
If confirmed in this position, my top priorities will be to protect American citizens and advance U.S. interests. At the embassy, we will pursue four main lines of action to further develop the plan of the U.S. Embassy in Albania.
The first line will focus on ways to make America safer. Supporting Albania in the fight against corruption, international organized crime, and drug trafficking linked to Latin American cartels will help make both America and Albania safer.
Second, we will work to make America more secure. These steps will also help Albania's security. I will support Albania's progress toward its commitments at the NATO Summit in The Hague in 2025 to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. We will also support strengthening cybersecurity capabilities and joint initiatives in various military fields.
Third, our focus will be on economic prosperity. These efforts will also help Albania’s economic development. As the artificial intelligence, energy, infrastructure, mining, and other sectors develop in Albania, American businesses and investors must have a fair legal and contractual climate.
Fourth, our focus will be on the embassy itself and the people who work there. One of the key elements that I call the 'human factor' will aim to use standard and creative ways to take care of the most important part of the embassy: its people, both professionally and personally.
In conclusion, if confirmed, I look forward to working with the members of this commission and our partners in Albania to achieve these important objectives. I am ready to answer your questions.
t7 live
