Albania’s NATO membership proves expensive

TIRANA, June 8 – Albania became a NATO member last year. That means that the tiny Balkan country should now adapt to the alliance’s policies and strategies, but also open up the coffers to pay for what NATO membership asks for.
That means Albania has to update its technology, armament and armed forces to be in full compliance with the NATO standards
To meet the criteria of the alliance, Tirana had to double defense spending, from about 9 million euros in 2005 to about 19 million euros in 2009.
Tirana has made it clear it will further increase the budget.
The money spent until now has been used to modernize the military infrastructure, pay army salaries and buy goods and services in the sector.
The bill is expected to rise over the next ten years.
A study by the Institute for Economic and Legal Consultancy forecasts that Albania will invest about 3 billion euros in its defense sector by 2020.
Last week NATO closed its headquarters in Albania after having completed its mission in the western Balkan country.
A cerebration to mark the occasion was staged in an Albanian military academy, which was attended by Albanian President Bamir Topi and other high military officials.
“Today’s ceremony closes an important page in our relations with NATO, that of the kept promises and achieved standards, with a new chapter unfolded,” Topi said at the ceremony.
Topi expressed gratitude towards NATO and its member countries for their support and assistance on its road towards NATO, which Albania joined in April, 2009.
“The mission has been accomplished, and now the resources can be redirected,” Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, commander of the Joint Forces Command Naples, said.
He pointed out that Albania is already a member of NATO, further cooperation to fully certify the Albanian armed forces will be undertaken through established NATO programs.
The NATO headquarters Tirana office was established in 2002 to assist Albania with its accession into NATO, with their defense reforms and to provide command and control capabilities for NATO in Kosovo