NATO chief praises Albania's role in Western Balkans
Xinhua, December 11, 2015 Adjust font size:
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Albania's role in strengthening stability in the Western Balkans during a visit to Tirana on Thursday, the security organization said in a press release.
After talks with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Stoltenberg thanked Albania for its continued contributions to the Alliance's missions, and for its efforts to build the defense capabilities of NATO partners Georgia and Ukraine.
Albania became a member of NATO in 2009.
Highlighting Albania's key role in the Western Balkans, Stoltenberg added that Tirana's cooperation with its neighbors makes "a valuable contribution to the security across the region."
He noted that the Alliance's decision to start accession talks with Montenegro reflects NATO's commitment to keep its door open.
NATO foreign ministers has decided to invite Montenegro to become the 29th member of the alliance and to start accession talks in early 2016.
"Our security is being challenged from many different directions, and NATO is responding," Stoltenberg said. He underlined that the Alliance is increasing the readiness of its forces, and working to provide more support for partners to the east and to the south. Endit