TIRANA, April 12 /ATA/ – By I. Vata/ The National Civil Emergency Operational Centre of the National Civil Protection Agency was inaugurated on Tuesday.
It was made possible thanks to a EUR 1 mln grant allocated by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency.
In the ceremony held on this occasion, Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi described this as a very important investment, which introduces another high standard in the service and management of the Civil Protection system in Albania.
Minister Peleshi expressed the gratitude of the Albanian people for the commitment of Italy in emergency and critical situations such as the devastating 2019 earthquake or even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our ambition is great, together with the municipality of Tirana we are supportive in this first step that will be followed by a much larger program of 30 million euros, in the framework of an aid of 95 million euros in which Italy has the role of leader. So, we have taken the first step towards a truly modern, contemporary civil protection system to respond in time, side by side with the municipalities that are on the front line of civil emergencies, whatever natural disaster, to protect our citizens, ” Minister Peleshi said in his remarks.
Peleshi announced that thanks to the next project, investments will get started in the municipalities of the country, to enable a prompt and professional response in case of fires or floods.
Also, in attendance of the ceremony were the President of the Italian Chamber, Roberto Fico, the Tirana mayor, Erion Veliaj, the Ambassador of Italy to Albania, Fabrizio Bucci, the Director of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency, Luca Maestripieri and the Director General of the National Defense Agency Civile Haki Çako.
The President of the Italian Chamber, Roberto Fico, highlighted the very good relations of cooperation between the two countries. “Italy is also a country hit by earthquakes. We have built an excellent experience of co-operation. I think this investment will serve not only to save lives, but also to prevent disasters, such as what happened in Albania in 2019 and in Italy in some cases. “This is the beginning of a journey that we will make together, which will see some developments aimed at achieving European standards in the field of Civil Protection.”
For his part, the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj said that: “We must be prepared every day as if something that hits once in 100 years is a common occurance. “This is the definition of a serious nation.”
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