The meeting focused on further strengthening the Alliance and ongoing support for NATO partner countries 100 days from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The meeting was joined by the Ministers of Defense of Ukraine, Georgia, Sweden, Finland, as well as the High Representative of the European Union.

In his remarks, Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi said that our country will support and contribute to the buildup and reinforcement of military capabilities on the Alliance’s borders to protect its population.
Minister Peleshi spoke about the new Porto Romano project, which will also make available dedicated infrastructure to the Armed Forces and the NATO Alliance.

“We attach high importance to our critical infrastructure, not only from a national perspective, but also from that of the Alliance. In this context, given the geographical location, the Port of Durres served as a hosting center for “Defender Europe 2021″ exercise and proved to be a strategic point connecting the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea, otherwise known as Corridor 8, ” said Peleshi.

He drew attention to the repercussions that war in Ukraine could have on the Balkan region. The Minister of Defense underlined the importance of accelerating the Euro-Atlantic integration process of the countries in the region amid the current situation.

Minister Peleshi also said that it is important to send a strong message that the security of the Balkan region remains of paramount importance for the Alliance and that Russia with its “levers” should not be allowed to destabilize the entire region.

Ministers of the Alliance were earlier received at a working dinner hosted by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who appreciated the generous support that NATO allies and partners have provided in military equipment, economic and humanitarian aid. He also stressed that the Alliance is and remains determined to continue its support for Ukraine, and remains optimistic that the Heads of State and Government of the Alliance countries will adopt a Comprehensive Assistance Package during the Madrid Summit, which is scheduled to take place on June 29-30.