TIRANA, Jan. 6 – U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) will locate a forward-based headquarters in Albania, on a rotational basis, the U.S. military announced Wednesday.
“The location of the forward HQ in Albania will provide increased interoperability with our Albanian allies, important access to transportation hubs in the Balkans and greater logistical flexibility,” SOCEUR said in a statement.
U.S. officials said the decision was based on Albania being a NATO ally and the strong relationship with the Albanian government and Ministry of Defense.
“The ability to rapidly move and train within the Balkans, in close coordination with other allied and partner forces, made Albania the best location for this effort,” said Major General David H. Tabor, Commander of Special Operations Command Europe. “Albania remains an important NATO Ally and a valued security partner, both regionally and globally.”
The news was welcomed by Albanian officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, who said it was “an expression of very high trust and a very close cooperation” between Albania and the United States.
The United States and NATO have increased their military presence in Albania in recent years, with major military exercises and the reconstruction of an Albanian airbase.
Albania joined NATO in 2009. Public opinion polls show the country is one of the world’s most pro-American nations.
