Albanian Minister of Defense, Niko Pelesi paid an official visit to Zagreb, at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Croatia, Ivan Anusic.

The purpose of the visit is the intensification of bilateral relations between the two countries, with special emphasis in the field of security and defense, addressing the current issues of the Western Balkans region and wider, cooperation within NATO and other regional and international initiatives.

Peleshi said that Albania and Croatia are fellow travelers in one of the most important journeys, NATO membership, and that this year the two countries mark the 15th anniversary, as NATO member countries, being proud of our position in fulfilling our common obligations for the peace and security “.

The Minister further expressed his gratitude to Croatia for its important role in the Balkans, for the unconditional support it offers to the countries of the region in all Euro-Atlantic integration processes, emphasizing here its contribution to a safe region, without conflicts and in peace.

Minister Peleshi appreciated the continuous positive approach of the Ministry of Defense of Croatia towards Kosova, as a supporter of it in the European perspective, in the membership in all regional initiatives and international organizations in which Kosova has the capacity to contribute and play an important.

Minister Peleshi recognized his Croatian counterpart with the commitments for 20024, a very busy year for the Ministry of Defense of Albania, as it welcomes the organization of several important regional activities in Albania, as well as the leadership of one of the most important initiatives of the region such as it is USA – Adriatic Chart (A 5).

During this visit, the two defense ministers signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of security and defense, the novelty of which has to do with the updating of this document with new challenges, the inclusion and identification of new areas of cooperation in relation to innovation and cyber, defense industry, training and education and many other areas of common interest to both Armed Forces.

During this visit, Albanian Minister of Defense Peleshi was received in separate meetings by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

Minister Peleshi introduced the two Croatian heads of state to the latest political developments in Albania, and the recently undertaken reforms in the field of security and defense.

/a.p./