Minister Peleshi expressed his gratitude to the United States of America and other NATO allies who chose Albania as the country to conduct a series of maneuvers to test their readiness for search and rescue operations.

“Albania will be always ready to welcome the military exercises in the coming years in the light of Defender Europe,” Minister Peleshi said.

“Defender 21” was a joint success of the Armed Forces and all other state structures engaged in this event. Thank you to all the military and civilians who became part of the significant exercise to ensure peace in the region. Albania will be always ready to welcome the military trainings of the coming years in the light of the Defender Europe,” Pelelshi said.   //a.i/

The citizens of Durrës in the “Taulantia” square had the opportunity to get acquainted with the weapons and various aspects of the Albanian and American armies, part of the NATO Alliance.

The military forces of the two countries demonstrated rapid intervention exercises, as well provided up-close views to the citizens of the weapons and equipment using during the exercises.

In addition to training in 7 different bases of the country, the American and Albanian military forces are also holding open days for the public in several different centers of Albania.

A day later, the open day will move to the Waterfront Promenade in the city of Vlora. On May 23, Defender Europe 2021 will be demonstrated to the public at Tirana’s Mother Teresa square, whereas troops will move to the town of Kuçova on May 25.

Defender-Europe 21 multinational military exercises, involving up to 28,000 troops from 27 allies and partner countries, will run throughout May to mid-June. Under the command of the U.S. Army for Europe and Africa, around 28,000 U.S., allied and partner troops are conducting simultaneous military drills across 30 training areas in many nations from the Baltic, the Western Balkans to Black Sea, demonstrating operational readiness and interoperability between the United States and the NATO allies and partners to deter aggression and ensure security in the Balkans and the Black Sea regions.  Albania has made seven military bases available to the military exercises.  //a.i/

At the launch ceremony of the exercise in the port of Durrës, the commander of the U.S. European Command, Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters praised Albania as a nation that has played a major role in peace in the region and Europe.

“Today we have proof of what we need to do, we need to improve the strategic transparency lacking since 1940. We need to remember what happened during World War II. The invasion of Normandy, all the logistics on land and sea, we will land today and understand what a difficult test this is,” Walters said.

“This is a joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operation taking place “for the first time in Europe since World War II at the Port of Durres,” he said.

“I thank this nation, an exporter of security. The way we understand this, the moment when you have shown this since joining NATO, has given us a safer Albania, a safer western part, a safer Mediterranean and Europe. We feel safer, we are stronger together, “General Walters added. //a.i/

According to Alla, the residents of this area should not worry about the increased presence of military forces. This is the largest multinational military exercise “Defender Europe 21” ever held in our region.

In addition to the strategic plans and communication, military exercise increases and tests the operational capability and readiness of allied forces, as well as enables communication and interaction between troops from different countries to act at the tactical and operational level. //a.i/

During his speech at the today’s plenary session, Minister Peleshi emphasized that, this draft law will contribute to the strengthening of national security of our country and the strengthening of the strategic Albania-US partnership.

According to Peleshi, the draft law “On the development and participation of the forces of the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the partner countries of this organization in the joint exercise” DEFENDER EUROPE 21 “, has to do with one of the largest military exercises that have ever been developed in our country.

“Defender Europe 21” exercise takes place in the framework of cooperation with the American side and is a continuation of the strong strategic partnership between Albania and the United States, in the field of security and defense. The commanding general of United States Army Europe (USAREUR) will lead the Defender Europe 21 exercise package, which will include the participation of Allied and Partner Forces, such as; Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Greece. Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, etc,” Minister Peleshi said.

“The selection of Albania for the development of this exercise, together with several countries, will provide considerable visibility and credibility for our country, not only within the Alliance but also in the regional framework. Very important will be the message this exercise will convey to the hesitant countries of our region, or countries that have agendas and interests different from those in which our country and region believes and is oriented, “In the Euro-Atlantic Orientation ”. “Albania once again clearly shows the Essential Role it plays and will continue to play to keep our rivals from the Balkan region as far away as possible, positioned unequivocally in the” Western Space,” Minister Peleshi added. //a.i/