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A number of different activities have been conducted in Albania within the framework of the multinational exercise "Defender Europe 21" with the participation of the highest authorities of the country and American military commands in Europe. The Distinguished Visitors' Day took place in the Port of Durrës, which marked the launch of the largest multinational military exercise in the history of the Armed Forces "Defender Europe-21”.
US troops demonstrated at the port of Durres military logistics operations for the deployment of military equipment by sea (JLOTS), while at the Naval Force Command the demonstrated the supply with fuel from the sea (WETLOTS), a tactical operation carried out for the first time since the Second World War.
Under the direction of US Army Command for Europe and Africa, approximately 28,000 troops will simultaneously conduct military maneuvers across the Baltic Sea, the Western Balkans and the Black Sea to increase the readiness, operability and interoperability of NATO allies and partner countries albeit in challenging and uncertain times, as is the pandemics.
The Distinguished Visitors’ Day for this Exercise, was attended by the highest officials of the state; the President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama; the Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Prof. assoc. Bajram Begaj, the US Ambassador Yuri Kim, cabinet ministers, General Wolters, General Cavoli, General Harrigian, Admiral Heinz, General Mohan, etc.
In the greeting speech on the Distinguished Visitors' Day of the "Defender Europe 21" exercise, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Assoc. Prof Bajram Begaj, thanking all those present at the ceremony, and naming the conduct of this exercise as one of the largest ever held in our country, considered this as a historic event for Albania.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, emphasized that Albania continues to be a worthy ally of NATO and the US, and the former US Secretary of Defense James Mattis' words perfectly described this partnership as "Albania has shown that its geographical size has very little importance, compared to its engagement in the Alliance. Albania strikes harder than its weight. You are our ally not only in uniform, but in all aspects. These words said a few years ago, even today, sound as true as ever. ,- said among others Major General Assoc. Prof. Begaj Also in the framework of the exercise, on May 3, 2021, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, hosted in a special meeting General Cavoli, Commander of the US Army in Europe and Africa. Both interlocutors praised the military cooperation between the two countries and in particular between the US Army Command in Europe and Africa and the Armed Forces. This cooperation extends to the areas of exercise, training, and modernization projects. US Army Command in Europe and Africa leads the "Defender Europe 21" exercise.
