TIRANA, Aug. 7 – In his first visit to army units as the new general commander, President Bamir Topi said that reforms in the army were successful because of the devotion of the army personnel.
The army has planned to turn into a totally professional force by 2010.
Topi also said that he would strongly support the idea that the government allocates 2 percent of the GDP for the army starting beginning with the 2008 budget, a request necessary for NATO member countries, which Albania hopes to join next year.
Topi also hailed the army officers and soldiers who have served outside the country in peacekeeping missions, taking messages of peace and friendship to the world.
Topi was visiting the Zall Herr army unit base in the Tirana outskirts which prepares the units going on peacekeeping missions.
Albania is now in the most decisive period of becoming integrated into NATO, he said.
Despite success, this stage requires more commitment and creativity, organization and coordination, or what he called a “decisive effort.”
There should be faster efforts, ahead of the Bucharest summit next spring, when Albania hopes to receive its invitation for full membership to NATO.
