31 March 2014
It is held today at the Ministry of Defense, the official ceremony on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of membership of Albania in NATO. The Prime Minister of Albania Mr. Edi Rama, the Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Jeronim Bazo, the commanders of the main and supporting forces, incumbent ministers, former defence ministers over the years, defence attachés accredited to our country, etc, took part in this important anniversary for the Albanian Armed Forces and Albanian State.
Minister of Defense Kodheli in her speech reminded the first commitments of Albania side by side with the NATO countries up to its full membership, in order to establish peace and global security. Minister expressed herself of being proud for NATO intervention in Kosovo and the aid given by Albania.
“I thank our military in the first missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Chad and Iraq. Today after two decades, our armed forces are committed to peace, global security and integrity. The celebration of this day will remain as the event that brought us together with the values and principles of democracy and progress. NATO is seen as a loyal connection among honored friends determined to protect each other. We are determined to stay with this alliance, firmly implement the necessary reforms", said the minister Kodheli in her speech.
The participants in the ceremony of the fifth anniversary of membership in NATO were greeted by the Prime Minister Mr. Edi Rama. Citing the speech of the U.S. President Barack Obama, that freedom can not be provided free of charge, Prime Minister Rama stressed that Albania is ready to pay the price of freedom.
"Participation in this alliance makes our burden lighter, the price of our freedom much more deserved. On this anniversary of our membership in NATO, the blood of our martyr, Captain Feti Vogli and blood of many boys and girls among the allied forces in fronts where this Alliance fights for freedom and security are the most meaningful evidence of the price of freedom, but even the indisputable proof of the strength of our great Atlantic loyal connection.” – said Rama.
According to the Prime Minister, besides numerous advantages of NATO membership, the Alliance’s presence in the country is accompanied by major responsibilities. "Joining NATO, Albania has guaranteed its commitment and its allies to even protect militarily its integrity and independence; and to protect the integrity and independence of any allied country with the peace and protection of freedoms and rights wherever this Alliance considers it necessary. The fifth anniversary of Albania's membership to NATO is the best occasion to express gratitude, first of all, to the Albanian people who supported the Atlantic project of the country in a plebiscitary way. Gratitude to the U.S. is inevitable in a day like this", said Prime Minister Rama.
