TIRANA, Sept 17 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday met NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at NATO headquarters, with talks focusing on Albania’s plans to revive its defense industry and its priority for construction of a new NATO military port in Porto Romano, near the coastal city of Durrës.
Speaking after talks in Brussels, Rama said that he and the NATO Secretary General Rutte also discussed expanding defense cooperation and aligning Albania with broader European security initiatives.
“We are beginning the rebirth of our military industry. We are eager to continue discussions with you on the necessary steps to make the new military port in Porto Romano a reality,” the government head said in a joint press statement with Rutte.
Rama also emphasized Albania’s interest in participating in the European Union’s “SAFE” program, which aims to strengthen strategic defense capabilities and supply chains beyond the EU’s borders.
“We’re here to explore how countries like ours can be included in the SAFE program, which goes beyond the EU perimeter and can benefit NATO members in Europe,” Rama said.
Rutte praised Albania’s contributions to the Alliance and ongoing commitment to NATO missions and priorities.
Today’s meeting is the third this year between Rama and Rutte. The two met previously in Brussels during the NATO leaders’ summit on June 24, and in Tirana during the European Political Community Summit on May 16.
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