Second Albanian patrol ship joins NATO mission in Aegean

TIRANA, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Albania has sent a second patrol vessel of its naval fleet to support the NATO-led operations the Aegean Sea, sources from defense ministry confirmed to Xinhua on Monday.

The ship ALS Butrinti departed Saturday from Pashaliman Base in southern Albania to head to the Aegean Sea and join Alliance forces.

Such operation comes in the framework of Albania's commitment to extend its first-ever maritime mission with NATO as part of the international efforts to stop illegal trafficking and migration in the Aegean Sea, sources said.

The ministry also said in a Monday press release that the mission's extension was decided following the very positive results and performance of the crew of Albanian Oriku patrol boat over the past year.

Oriku patrol boat helped in saving hundreds of people in Aegean last year, namely immigrants from Syria or other conflict zones who tried to reach Europe. Enditem