Speaking to Euronews Albania, Nufi described the recent NATO summit in Ankara as a key milestone, saying allies had reaffirmed commitments made at the Hague summit to increase defence spending and strengthen the alliance’s collective capabilities.

“The Ankara summit reaffirmed strong commitments by all member states on defence spending and their obligations to the Alliance,” Nufi said. “It demonstrated NATO’s unity and its determination to remain prepared for any scenario.”

Nufi said Albania was increasing defence expenditure in line with the alliance’s target of allocating 5% of gross domestic product to defence-related spending by 2035, agreed by NATO allies at the Hague summit.

He said a recently approved government budget revision raises Albania’s core defence spending to 2.2% of GDP, funding military capabilities, defence infrastructure, weapons systems and the modernisation of the armed forces. The investment programme also includes cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Nufi said Albania was investing in new missile defence systems, mobile command centres and other military equipment as part of NATO capability targets linked to Corridor VIII, a strategic transport route that also has a military mobility role.

He said the country remained committed to meeting all NATO obligations and had been recognised by allies for its contributions to alliance missions and efforts to strengthen its military capabilities.

“Albania does not pursue an individual approach to defence, but a collective one within NATO,” Nufi said. “All allied countries operate within a common strategic framework, with capabilities coordinated by the Alliance.”

He added that while the Albanian Armed Forces are in good condition, further investment would focus on modernising equipment and enhancing operational readiness in line with NATO standards.

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Malaj said the additional funding, approved through the government’s budget amendment, is aimed at strengthening national defence and accelerating the modernisation of the Armed Forces.

The revised budget also provides for the recruitment of 300 additional military personnel.

“With an additional 10.3 billion leks in funding and 300 new members of the Armed Forces, defence spending will reach 2.6% of GDP, supporting the modernisation of defence capabilities and enhancing national security,” Malaj said.

The increase reflects Albania’s continued efforts to meet NATO defence spending targets and strengthen its contribution to the alliance’s collective security framework.

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Speaking at the Athens Defence Conference, organised by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), Nufi said strategic coordination was essential as Europe faces an increasingly challenging security environment.

“Albania continues to contribute responsibly and with determination to the NATO Alliance as a committed and trusted ally,” Nufi said.

“We are increasing our investments and modernising our Armed Forces. Our contribution extends to NATO operations, EU missions and international security initiatives. We support a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO,” he added.

Nufi also said the Western Balkans should remain a strategic priority for both the European Union and NATO.

“Amid new challenges and evolving threats to international security, the Western Balkans is becoming increasingly vulnerable to malign influence, disinformation, hybrid warfare and destabilising agendas,” he said.

The Athens Defence Conference brought together defence ministers, senior NATO military officials, diplomats, security experts and representatives of the European and NATO defence industry to discuss key international security challenges.

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