Albanian army needs deep reform to meet NATO standards, says minister

TIRANA, April 26 – Defense Minister Gazmend Oketa has praised the army for its efforts and reforms that helped to convince NATO to offer membership to Albania at the beginning of the month.
“The greatest challenge will be full membership in the Alliance and we hope to receive that at the next NATO summit that coincides with its 60th anniversary,” said Oketa during a visit to the top military command.
Demilitarization was a major reform and the country may complete this process by 2010, earlier than the previous target of 2013.
Demilitarization includes disposing of some 100,000 tons of excess ammunition.
Developing operational abilities, as NATO requests, is a main target. The army seeks to become a totally professional force in the near future.
Oketa also met with residents of Gerdec, the area affected by the March 15 blast that killed 26 persons and injured 302 others.
The minister told the residents that specialized troops would soon clean the area of the remnants of the blast to allow residents to finish rebuilding their homes.