Shqip
The European and Euro-Atlantic integration have been the main strategic pillars of Albania’s policy for more than three decades now. This is deeply rooted in our sense of belonging to the Euro- Atlantic community, based on our shared core values. Hence, it is no coincidence that Albanians are still amongst the top supporters of EU and NATO, in Europe and beyond.
Brief history
Albania started the Euro-Atlantic integration process immediately after the fall of the totalitarian regime: in 1992 we established our relationship with NATO by joining the North Atlantic Cooperation Council and in 1994 joined the Partnership for Peace programme, which marked the beginning of Albania’s accession process into the Alliance. The process was further formalized in 1999 through the launch of the Membership Action Plan (MAP), which led to the formal invitation for NATO membership, issued at the 2008 Bucharest Summit.
On 1 April 2009 Albania officially became the 28-th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, thus achieving one of the most important strategic goals on foreign and security policy. The NATO accession further anchored Albania to the Euro-Atlantic community of values and had a positive impact also in the EU integration track.
Alb contributions to E-A security
Fifteen years later, Albania has proudly proved itself as a dedicated/committed and reliable NATO Ally and a strong stability factor in the Western Balkans and beyond. For nearly three decades, Albanian troops contribute to international peace missions and operations. Albania has increased its presence in the KFOR mission and EUFOR Althea. Furthermore, we continue to maintain our support to the NATO forward Land Forces (FLF) in Latvia and Bulgaria and we stand resolute to our deployments in Iraq and South Sudan. The Albanian Naval Forces will continue to patrol in the Aegean Sea, and we are willing to contribute [to the EU (naval) operation ASPIDES] in Red Sea as well.
Ukraine and other Security Challenges
This is an unprecedented time for Euro Atlantic security. We have entered in the third year since Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine –which represents the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. It has shattered pace and stability in Europe, and it has broken Europe’s security architecture, creating global and severe security repercussions. Countries across the globe have reiterated their condemnation to such an illegal and unjustified attack and many NATO Allies have stepped up their commitment and support for Ukraine. The same message of support and solidarity was conveyed also by the Leaders of the Southeast European countries participating at the Tirana Summit on Ukraine of 28 February 2024.
On the other hand, our regional security is impacted also from challenges coming from the Southern neighbourhoods. The conflict in the Middle East and the instability in Sahel and Noth Africa make our region vulnerable to a multitude of challenges and threats, such as terrorism, migration, and malign cyber activities. This underlines the need for Alliance’s constant attention to the developments and calls for an enhanced dialogue and practical cooperation with our partners in those regions.
The upcoming July Washington Summit will be a major event to mark NATO’s 75th anniversary. The Alliance will be provided with an opportunity to show and demonstrate its unity and commitment to defend every inch of Allied territory.
As far as Ukraine is concerned, we are confident that the Summit will send strong signals of unity and determination to continue to stand with the Ukrainian people for as long as it is needed.
Defence investment pledge
We expect the Washington to also build up on the decisions taken last year at the Vilnius Summit, where NATO leaders took major decisions to adapt the Alliance for the new security reality, including the approval of detailed and robust defence plans and the new defence pledge. Over the last decade Albania has increased the defence budget from 1.35% to 1.76% of our GDP. This year we have raised it to 2%, as an important measure to increase investment in defence capabilities, while being aware that the coming years will place even greater demands on us. Thus, we will ensure that defence spending remains at or above the 2% level in the coming years, and that more than 20% will be spent on modernization and major equipment.
Kucova and Porto Romano
On 4 March 2024 we launched the airbase of Kuçova. Once designed to attack NATO Allies, now it serves as a NATO tactical airbase. This speaks loud and clear how far Albania has advanced as a factor of stability and security in the region and beyond. Together with other strategic investments such as the Port of Porto-Romano, the base will help to enhance NATO-s mobility and support for operations in the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions, which are of strategic importance for the North Atlantic. Thus it will enhance the security in
Indeed! On 4 March 2024 Kuçova airbase was lauched as a NATO tactical airbase. Moreover, the Albanian Government is investing in Corridor VIII and in the port of Porto Romano. These major investments will have a positive impact on the sustainability and increased mobility and Access from the Adriatic Sea to the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions, which are of strategic importance for the NATO. This highlights Albania’s commitment as a reliable NATO Ally to contribute for the security in the region and in the wider Euro-Atlantic area.
The European integration remains a strategic priority of Albania and all Albanians. It is also a shared aspiration for all Western Balkan countries. In this context, advancing with the EU integration processes without any delays remains a key driver for the advancement of democratic reforms, economic development, and enhanced security and stability in the region.
With its policy of maintaining and developing good neighbourly relations with all the countries of the region, Albania is a major contributor to political stability, peace, security, and economic development through cooperation both at bilateral and at multilateral level. A safe and politically stable region that develops proper economic ties within it and with the rest of the world. This approach will be reflected also in the course of 2024, when Albania will be chairing several regional initiatives.
