TIRANA, Nov. 6 – American diplomats, Albanian officials and military representatives met at the Albanian military base of Zall Herr, where the Albanian military received a number of military equipment as a gift from the American side.
Moreover, the meeting served to reevaluate the joint efforts of both countries to cooperate in the defense sector.
Among the operational military weaponry received by the US, the most beneficial is the training of Albanian militants in the best US military academies.
Saimir Cuka, a First Rank Lieutenant, is the second Albanian to graduate from the Military Academy of West Point, famous for its competent generals through the years.
Donald Lu, US Ambassador in Tirana, who was present in the meeting, spoke of the way Albania is increasing its defense budget for the first time since entering NATO in 2009, by investing in technology and the professional preparation of its human capital.
“First Rank Lieutenant Cuka, also completed a high level course in the US’ Special Force, and today he leads Albanian Special Force teams that have fighting experience from Afghanistan,” Lu said. “He represents the future of the Albanian military forces.”
In addition, Lu declared that starting next year the US will further increase the military training budget of Albania, as part of Albania’s involvement with NATO. Primarily allies during the last eight years, but also since the fall of the Communist regime in Albania, the two states have established a close cooperation in the fields of security and defense.
