Minister Vengu and Prime Minister Starmer toured the facilities of this complex, where they also met with Albanian and British military personnel.

During his official visit to Albania, the British PM Keir Starmer, also toured the Innovation Center and the Armed Forces Museum, where he was welcomed by the Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji.

Minister Vengu and Prime Minister Starmer toured the facilities of this complex, where they also met with Albanian and British military personnel.

Vengu expressed his pleasure in welcoming the UK PM to this innovative complex and in celebrating the strong cooperation between the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and the Armed Forces of Albania. He emphasized their alliance within NATO, as well as their collaboration beyond NATO, particularly within the Western Balkans.

“We share a common stance on the threats we face and are continuously strengthening our joint capabilities. Today, under the guidance and leadership of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Prime Minister of Albania, we signed an important agreement with the ambition to deepen our collaboration in the defense industry and innovation,” stated Vengu.

For his part, British Prime Minister Starmer expressed his gratitude to the Albanian military personnel working alongside their British counterparts in the Interflex mission, dedicated to training Ukrainian troops.

“The work you are engaged in—training Ukrainian forces—is of paramount importance. I have seen first-hand the Interflex training on several occasions and how it is delivered. The professionalism and dedication demonstrated are of an exceptionally high standard and are crucial for the Ukrainians. After completing this training, they head to the frontlines, not only to defend their homeland but also to safeguard the fundamental values of freedom and democracy,” emphasized the UK Prime Minister, who also expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the defense cooperation agreement between the two countries.

“I am truly pleased that, in a broader context today, we have reached an agreement to enhance the work we do as two nations in security and defense, including production and procurement. I believe this marks a new era for Europe—an era of strengthened security and defense—where we forge even stronger ties with our allies,” he said.

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