Minister of Defense participates in the ADRION Initiative Ministerial: Albania committed to providing security and stability in the region

Minister of Defense participates in the ADRION Initiative Ministerial: Albania committed to providing security and stability in the region

Published: Monday, 07 October 2024 14:32

The Albanian Minister of Defense, Mr. Pirro Vengu, attended the ADRION Initiative Ministerial (Adriatic and Ionian Initiative) held in Venice. During his address, Minister Vengu expressed his appreciation to his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, for the hospitality extended to him and underscored the critical role of regional collaboration in maintaining stability and security in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

"Since the signing of the Ancona Declaration, the ADRION Initiative has transformed into a vital platform for bolstering security within our maritime territory. Our naval forces are actively involved in various initiatives designed to enhance cooperation and improve interoperability." stated Minister Vengu.

He further asserted that regional cooperation is imperative for keeping maritime communication routes both open and secure. "Equally important," he continued, "is the necessary maritime infrastructure that enables the support and movement of military forces at the entry points of these corridors. In pursuit of this objective, Albania is developing the Porto Romanos maritime and commercial port to facilitate support for NATO forces. We have made the integrated Porto Romanos port available as a maritime asset for NATO's use."

Minister Vengu also highlighted that the focus of our regional efforts is to guarantee the mobility of troops and goods, in accordance with the agreement reached during the Washington Summit regarding Corridor VIII, which allows for a swift response to support the Alliance's strategies.

He emphasized that this forum provides Albania with an opportunity to improve maritime cooperation and to better equip our countries to confront all present and future security challenges, while fostering regional stability, peace, and prosperity.

Addressing the shifts in the global security landscape prompted by the war in Ukraine, the Minister remarked: "The Adriatic-Ionian basin has increasingly become a zone of accessibility for various malicious activities and stands as one of the most vulnerable transit and infiltration points in the heart of Europe. Therefore, our regional cooperation must be elevated to the highest level to ensure security and stability for our citizens."

"Additionally, we have observed during this period the intervention of hostile actors seeking to compromise our critical infrastructure, disrupt our government services, and hinder our military operations through cyberattacks. Furthermore, the Western Balkans remains a preferred arena for third parties aiming to challenge the democratic principles of our society. NATO's Strategic Concept emphasizes the significance of the Western Balkans region for the Alliance. Hence, Albania remains steadfastly committed to NATO in fostering a secure environment and broader stability throughout the Western Balkans," concluded Minister Vengu.

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