TIRANA, Albania - NATO celebrated the closure of its headquarters in Tirana, Albania, June 2, signifying the end of a successful decade-long mission in the country. “The mission has been accomplished, and now the resources can be redirected,” said Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Joint Forces Command Naples commander, adding that, “Now that Albania is a member of NATO, further cooperation to fully integrate the Albanian armed forces will be undertaken through established NATO programs.”
The NATO Headquarters Tirana office, later called the Military Accession and Integration, Liaison Team, was officially established in 2002 to assist Albania with its accession into NATO, with their defence reforms and to provide command and control capabilities for NATO in Kosovo.
In 1992 Albania began the journey towards NATO membership by joining the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Later, in 1994, they joined the Partnership for Peace programme. Albania contributed troops to efforts in Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan and has hosted multiple NATO exercises. Albania became a full member of NATO in 2009.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Dincho Karamunchev listed the achievements that he has seen during his time in Albania as the NATO senior military representative and MAIL-T commander: “The ongoing work developing the inter-ministerial Maritime Operations Centre, the establishment of a host-nations support cell, the deeper integration of the Ministry of Defence and the general staff, and the delicate task of de-militarization, removing and destroying safely thousands of tons of obsolete military equipment.”
Additionally, Admiral Fitzgerald commended Albania on its contributions in Afghanistan and for the nation’s efforts in promoting security and stability in the Balkans region.
The MAIL-T commander reminded the crowd that there is still work to be done. “The integration marks a permanent step forward, but is only part of the on-going process, which must receive continued political support and wide-spread consensus from all institutions to build on the progress achieved so far,” said Karamunchev. “The armed forces and MOD have much work to do on completing the declared force-goals; this work is complex, but attaining the goals will transform the armed forces into a modern-day and effective institution.”
“In addition, Albania needs to conduct a strategic defence review. With the change of status on joining NATO there is a need for leadership and long-term planning to realize the benefits of this new strategic partnership,” he continued.
Admiral Fitzgerald forecasted that Albania will be an example for other countries in the Balkans.
“As you travel further down the path of full NATO integration, others will continue to turn to you for support and guidance in meeting their own NATO ambitions,” he said.
In his remarks, the Albanian president thanked all peacekeepers serving in missions around the world.
The former offices of the Military Accession and Integration, Liaison Team in Tirana will be handed back to the Albanian Ministry of Defense. Part of the NATO office equipment and supplies will be turned over to the Albanian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. A smaller part will remain in support of other NATO personnel, who will continue work in the Albanian Ministry of Defense, including a small De-Militarization Project and the KFOR liaison officer.