TIRANA, May 22 /ATA/ Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, held an official meeting on Thursday with the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Lieutenant General Bashkim Jashari.
Also, in attendance of the meeting was the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji.
The meeting focused on the strategic and fraternal cooperation between our two countries in the field of Defense, which is viewed as a key factor for regional stability and a clear step towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
Vengu praised the high level of cooperation with Kosovo and reaffirmed the Ministry of Defense’s commitment to supporting Kosovo’s membership in regional and international initiatives, including the Adriatic Charter (US-A5).
Among other topics, the meeting addressed the fragile security situation in the region, condemning the terrorist and criminal attacks in northern Kosovo, as well as the tensions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Vengu emphasized that Albania will always stand by Kosovo to ensure lasting security and stability in the region.
Furthermore, Minister Vengu emphasized Albania’s position that NATO’s mission, KFOR, is a guarantor of Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Vengu and Lieutenant General Jashari highlighted the shared priorities for strengthening the KSF as a modern and territorial force through five main pillars: human capital, modernization and development of capabilities, military industry and innovation, national resilience (including cyber and civil defense), and critical infrastructure.
The cooperation between the two countries in the field of Defense has materialized through active participation in the international exercise Defender Europe 2025, with both Albania and Kosovo playing a key role.
Another area of strategic importance is military education. The Albanian Armed Forces Academy continues to offer scholarships and courses for students and officers from Kosovo, while special quotas are also being considered at public universities for specialties crucial to defense.
The discussion also touched on the potential of drawing human resources from the diaspora and individuals with dual citizenship, as well as facilitating the return of highly skilled professionals to Albania and Kosovo through tangible incentives.
The 2025 bilateral cooperation plan includes 64 specific activities, such as meetings, training sessions, information exchanges, and exercises, all of which are actively being implemented.
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