U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary visits Tirana

TIRANA, Oct. 11 – Alexander Vershbow, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, visited Tirana to take part at the Southeast Europe Defense Ministerial annual meeting and hold talks with top local officials.
Vershbow also met with Prime Minister Sali Berisha who expressed deep gratitude for the support and extraordinary help that the United States have provided for Albania with in the field of defense as well as for the devotion and contribution that the United States have made for peace and security in the region.
Vershbow conveyed friendly greetings from U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and re-affirmed the determination of the U.S. Defense Department and the American administration to work closely with the reforms in the defense sector.
Vershbow said that only a few could believe in 1991 Albania would become a full NATO member.
Vershbow highly evaluated Albania’ contribution in service of peace and security in the NATO missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere and expressed pleasure at Albania being a NATO member and close partner of the USA. Vershbow appreciated in particular the contribution of Albanian servicemen on mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Berisha assured Vershbow of the determination of the Albanian government to continue the military contribution in Afghanistan through sending the Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams and the civilian contribution on funding the building of several schools and providing scholarships for the Afghan students.
Berisha re-affirmed the determination of the government of Albania to continue reform in the defense sector and reiterated the deep gratitude for the worthy support and assistance that the United States has provided Albania with for the upgrade of its armed forces.