Albania to dispose all excess ammunition by end of 2013

TIRANA, Jan. 15 – The Albanian Defense Ministry has said the disposal of all excess ammunition is to be completed this year.
Authorities made the announcement Tuesday, when the ministry held its annual analysis. The minister said that last year, 2012, was very fundamental in consolidating the reform process which the army has started since the fall of the communist regime more than two decades ago.
Albania became a NATO member four years ago and is part of the alliance’s international missions in Afghanistan and Bosnia.
The army has been in a long reform process, restructuring to get in line with the NATO standards.
Minister Arben Imami said that 2013 will be decisive in the process of full integration with the alliance for which the authorities will continue the restructuring of its elements.
Albania repeated that it will continue to be part of the alliance’s peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, trying to expand its presence not only with troops but also with training for the local army there. The ministry said it is ready to be part of possible international peacekeeping missions of the United Nations.