Albanian military to increase presence in Afghanistan

TIRANA, Nov. 22 – Albania’s military will increase its presence in NATO’s mission to Afghanistan by 60 percent next year, Defense Minister Olta Xhaà§ka said during a visit with the troops already serving in that country.

Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke to the servicemen via video link during the minister’s visit, telling the country takes pride in their contribution. The link was broadcast live by Rama on his social media pages.

During her stay in Kabul, Xhaà§ka met with the head of the NATO Mission, Gen. John Nicholson, who praised the Albanian military’s continued contribution in the NATO operation.

Xhaà§ka’s visit and Rama’s live broadcast of his conversation with the troops came at the heels of an embarrassing episode of four Albanian soldiers leaving a training in the United Kingdom last week and disappearing, likely to become illegal migrants.
They face charges for desertion, but their actions have raised a major debate in Albania about how little professional soldiers and officers are paid in the country.