TIRANA, May 6 – The Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard marked 25 years of partnership under the State Partnership Program. The anniversary highlighted long-term cooperation in defence and security.
A United States delegation visited Albania for the occasion. Brigadier General Yvonne Mays led the delegation as commander of the New Jersey National Guard.
The ceremony took place at the Land Force base in Zall Herr. President Bajram Begaj attended the event, while Defence Minister Ermal Nufi joined the ceremony. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji also participated. Meanwhile, United States Chargé d’Affaires Nancy Van Horn and senior military officials were present.
During his remarks, Minister Nufi said Albania values its strategic partnership with the United States. He described it as a key pillar of foreign and security policy. In addition, he expressed gratitude for continuous United States support, which has contributed to the modernisation of the Armed Forces and strengthened Albania’s role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The 25-year partnership reflects trust, friendship, and shared values, Nufi said. He added that cooperation has built sustainable military capacities. These include the development of the non-commissioned officer corps and the education of young officers. It also covers military medicine, civil emergency management, and joint international missions, including Afghanistan. Furthermore, progress has expanded into new areas such as cyber defence.
Addressing current challenges, Nufi said Albania seeks deeper cooperation, especially in cyber defence. According to him, cyber security remains a top priority due to ongoing threats. He added that United States expertise plays a key role in strengthening institutional resilience. At the same time, he stressed the importance of continued investment in the non-commissioned officer corps.
He also referred to the Light Infantry Battalion Group. The unit is preparing for a North Atlantic Treaty Organization evaluation of readiness, he said. In this context, he underlined the importance of joint exercises and interoperability.
Regarding defence commitments, Nufi said Albania remains fully engaged in fulfilling its obligations within the Alliance. He added that the country supports fair burden-sharing. Starting from 2026, Albania will also contribute financially to selected activities within this partnership.
Participants said the State Partnership Program will continue to strengthen long-term cooperation between Albania and the United States. They noted its role in supporting regional and collective security.
At the end of the ceremony, guests visited a static exhibition of Armed Forces equipment.
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