TIRANA, Dec. 10 – In a visit to Tirana Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Albania’s commitment to the alliance through its participation in a series of international missions as well as for its contribution to stability in the region.
“We believe that your cooperation with neighbors is a valuable contribution to security in the region,” Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama.
He added he valued Albania’s support for NATO’s open-door policy in the Balkans, adding that a few days ago, the alliance took a historic decision inviting Montenegro to start negotiations for membership.
“This invitation shows the continuing commitment of NATO to keep its doors open. This demonstrates our commitment to stability in the Western Balkans and for a Europe free and at peace. Albania plays a key role in this process,” Stoltenberg added.
He said global security is being challenged in different ways and NATO is adapting to a new security environment, enhancing readiness. It has increased the military presence in the eastern part of the alliance. It also is offering more support to partners in the east and south.
“All NATO allies are part of the international coalition against ISIS and welcome the contribution of Albania it,” said the NATO secretary general. “It is very important to emphasize that this is not a conflict between Islam and the West. This is a conflict between extremism and open societies and we need to arise in defense of our values, to fight extremism and terrorism together.”
He added that many of the complex challenges must be dealt with through diplomatic and political means, but there also need to military readiness.
“We need to continue to invest in our defense,” he said
