A U.S. delegation led by Brigadier General Yvonne Mays visited Albania for the anniversary, with a ceremony held at the Land Force base in Zall-Herr attended by President Bajram Begaj and senior military officials.

Nufi described the partnership with the United States as a cornerstone of Albania’s foreign and security policy, crediting sustained U.S. support with advancing the modernisation of the armed forces and strengthening the country’s role in NATO.

“These 25 years are not just a series of activities, but a history of trust, friendship and shared values,” Nufi said, pointing to cooperation in areas including non-commissioned officer development, officer training, military medicine, civil emergency management, international missions such as Afghanistan, and emerging fields like cyber defence.

He said cyber defence remains a top priority, with U.S. expertise seen as essential to boosting resilience against ongoing threats and protecting national institutions. Further development of the NCO corps and joint training to improve interoperability also remain key objectives, he added.

Nufi said Albania is preparing its Light Infantry Battalion for NATO readiness evaluation and remains committed to meeting its obligations within the alliance, including contributing financially to selected partnership activities from 2026.

Officials said the State Partnership Program will continue to strengthen long-term Albania-U.S. cooperation in support of regional and collective security.

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