Troops in Iraq best ambassador to NATO, says Topi

TIRANA, Dec. 23 – President Bamir Topi held a visit to the 120 army troops in Mosul, Iraq for the end of year festivities.
Topi awarded the Golden Medal of the Eagle to the 10th peacekeeping mission to Iraq saying they gave a special contribution to the country’s integration efforts into the northern alliance.
Albanian President Bamir Topi awarded the Golden Medal of the Eagle to the 10th Albanian contingent serving in Mosul, Iraq, “for the bravery, courage and high professionalism shown at the Iraqi Freedom Operation honoring the Albanian nation,” according to a statement from the president’s press office.
“Hoping that the aspiration we have to get the membership invitation to NATO in April 2008 at the Bucharest summit would be an extraordinary success to all of us, I believe that such a great and extraordinary value comes from the contribution of all our military in missions not only in Mosul, Iraq, but also in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and so on,” Topi told the military.
Topi was accompanied by Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu and army chief-of-staff Gen. Lt. Luan Hoxha.
During the visit Topi also met with the U.S. commander Gen. David Petraeus.
During the visit they also talked with soldiers’ family members saying the authorities would pay continuous attention to them.
Albania has also small army contingents to Bosnia and Afghanistan, which are part of her preparations and efforts to get a NATO membership next year.