MONS, Belgium – Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Tod D. Wolters, welcomed Albanian Chief of Defence, Major General Associate Professor Bajram Begaj, to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 to reinforce Allied Command Operations' cooperation and discuss Albania's strong commitment to NATO operations.
During the visit, Major General Begaj and his staff were welcomed by an honour guard before meeting with General Wolters and SHAPE leadership.
Albania has demonstrated an ironclad commitment to improving the security and stability in the Balkans and Mediterranean from its accession into NATO in 2009 to the present
General Wolters highlighted Albania's key role in the Western Balkans contributing to NATO's shared security.
Albanian Chief of Defence Major General Assoc. Prof. Bajram Begaj meets with Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Tod D. Wolters during a visit to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Nov. 02, 2021. During the visit Major General Bajram Begaj and his staff were welcomed by an honour guard before meeting with General Wolters and SHAPE leadership. (NATO Photo by Staff Sergeant Kristin Savage)
"Albania has demonstrated an ironclad commitment to improving the security and stability in the Balkans and Mediterranean from its accession into NATO in 2009 to the present. We look forward to working with the Albanian Armed Forces in exercise DEFENDER 2022 improving the stance and readiness of Alliance military forces in sustaining peace in the Euro-Atlantic area," said General Wolters.
NATO and Albania cooperate in a range of areas, with a particular emphasis on defence and security sector reform, as well as support for wider democratic and institutional reform.
Albania officially became a NATO member on Apr. 1, 2009.