TIRANA, January 7/ATA/ Rear-Admiral Adnan Agastra took up his duties as Commander of the Albanian Navy in a ceremony attended by Minister of Defence Niko Peleshi.
Agastra follows in the post Brigadier General Ilir Xhebexhia.
Defence Minister Peleshi thanked Brigadier General Xhebexhia for his contribution so far at the head of the Navy and expressed his conviction that the new commander has all the capabilities to further the achievements of this force.
Minister Peleshi also spoke about the advantages thanks to the increased Defence budget, both for the upgrade of the Armed Forces and the financial treatment of the military.
“It will be a year with many challenges. Of course, we have a budget 32% higher than last year’s budget; we have 65% more budget for the upgrade of the Armed Forces, we have a 30% more salary system for this year planned for all levels from the soldier to the general, which means material evaluation, in addition to the moral one, and that will give more motivation to the young men and women and all the members of the Armed Forces to contribute “, he added.
New commander Agastra also highlighted upgrade of the Navy, which, he said, aims to increase the capacity of our navy warships, not only as a necessity to increase national security, but also to contribute to the Alliance.
Agastra becomes the 19th commander of the Albanian navy./m.m/j.p/r.e/p.s./
