Albania has despatched navy automobiles to assist Ukraine’s battle in opposition to Russia, whereas its troops are positioned in Latvia, and just lately additionally in Kosovo.
The nation is ready to extend its navy presence in accordance with NATO wants, Minister of Protection Niko Peleshi advised Euronews Albania in an interview from Brussels on Wednesday, the place he attended an extraordinary assembly of NATO ministers of protection.
Member international locations confirmed their contributions in assist of Ukraine, and their willingness to strengthen the group’s unity in face of the Russian aggression, Peleshi defined.
“The NATO alliance has by no means been extra united than as we speak. There are not any variations any extra amongst allies, they’re all in unison, prepared and satisfied that we should strengthen our protection by supporting Ukraine,” the minister acknowledged.
Peleshi drew consideration to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s refusal to align their international insurance policies with the European Union in imposing sanctions in opposition to Ukraine.
“This makes the political scenario within the Balkans prone to Russian aggression. It’s exactly the strengthening [of NATO] agreed by way of the desire of all members as we speak, the elevated presence with further navy items within the East that daunts Russia from claims of extending destabilization into the Western Balkans,” Peleshi famous, including that the area confronted no imminent hazard in the interim.
The minister urged the European Union and NATO to speed up the accession course of for international locations within the area for elevated safety and growth within the Western Balkans.
Albania is anticipating the supply of two Black Hawk helicopters from the US, whereas the federal government is mulling on increasing its aerial fleet with extra items. The rise of price range expenditures to 2 p.c of the GDP as agreed amongst NATO members is being performed in accordance with the plan, the minister confirmed.
Albania grew to become a NATO member in April 2009. The Alliance is upgrading a navy airport within the former Stalin Metropolis in south-central Albania, now known as Kucove, and is popping it into its first air base within the Western Balkans.
