TIRANA, May 14 – President Bajram Begaj met in Tirana with Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples, praising his leadership in what he described as a complex geopolitical environment.
Opening the meeting, Begaj highlighted the key role of the Naples-based command in maintaining security, peace and stability in the region. He also commended NATO’s Kosovo Force mission, calling both structures essential pillars of regional stability.
Turning to strategic relations, the President underlined the importance of Albania’s partnership with the United States, describing it as transformative for the Albanian Armed Forces. He also pointed to the continued presence of NATO and US forces in the region as a crucial guarantee for security, stability and development.
Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Begaj said current global risks require increased responsibility and sustained investment in both national and collective defence.
In that context, he reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening defence capabilities, modernising its armed forces and increasing its contribution to NATO operations.
Shifting to regional connectivity and development, the President thanked the United States and NATO’s Joint Force Command Naples for supporting the inclusion of Corridor VIII in the new mobility corridors framework. He described the project as strategically important not only for defence and security, but also for regional cooperation and economic stability.
Begaj also stressed the importance of continued US engagement in NATO’s Kosovo Force mission, calling it essential for maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo and the wider Western Balkans.
He concluded by reaffirming Albania’s full commitment to its strategic partnership with the United States and its obligations within NATO.
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