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Albania joins first-ever NATO mission in Aegean Sea

Xinhua, November 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Albania joined its first-ever maritime mission with NATO as part of the international efforts to stop illegal trafficking and migration in the Aegean Sea, the Albanian Ministry of Defense announced Monday.

A frigate with 21 crew members left Durres Port on Monday to be part of a NATO force deployed to the Aegean Sea in reconnaissance and search-and-rescue missions.

The patrolling mission in Aegean Sea, held under Dutch command, will continue till the situation stabilizes, official sources said.

The Albanian defense ministry organized a send-off ceremony at port of Durres where Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli said insecurity in the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean drew attention to the need for a joint response from the countries of NATO Alliance.

According to her, the military mission in the Aegean Sea, where Albanian warship will join two allied countries, Greece and Turkey, is a testament to unity and readiness among NATO countries.

This is the first time that Albanian troops are being deployed to the Aegean, Kodheli said.

Albanian troops will conduct maritime patrolling missions as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Aegean Sea. The Iliria patrol vessel of the Albanian Navy Brigade will carry out patrolling, rescue and search operation within an area in the Aegean Sea, the Albanian ministry informed.

Albania, a NATO member since 2009, has not been a major transit route for migrants through Europe so far, although small groups have tried crossing it to reach its northern neighbors. Endit