The Albanian government seeks to project an image of strategic flexibility in the field of defense and foreign policy, at a time when discussions about the balance between the United States and the European Union are intensifying. Albania's position on this issue was expressed by Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, through a series of statements on international missions, regional cooperation and the country's internal defense planning.
Referring to Albania's relations with its key partners, Vengu argued that his country does not position itself against either of the two poles of the Euro-Atlantic space. As he characteristically stated, "we are not between Washington and Brussels, but in the middle of both." This position was made against the backdrop of recent tensions that have been recorded at a high level, mainly on security issues.
In the same context, the Albanian minister confirmed that his country is directly participating in an international mission to Gaza, within the framework of the Peace Council, without, however, elaborating on details about the nature or extent of the mission.
Ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα έδωσε ο Vengu στο ζήτημα των αμυντικών συμφωνιών και των περιφερειακών συνεργασιών, υιοθετώντας σαφώς πιο αιχμηρό τόνο. Όπως δήλωσε, «η Αλβανία δεν ζητά άδεια από κανέναν για τις συμφωνίες που συνάπτει». Αιτιολόγησε τη θέση αυτή λέγοντας ότι, αφενός, «αξιολογούμε τις απειλές και τους κινδύνους στην περιοχή με ρεαλιστικό τρόπο» και, αφετέρου, «δεν πιστεύω ότι η Κροατία, η Αλβανία και το Κόσοβο χρειάζονται άδεια για τέτοιου είδους συνεργασίες», προσθέτοντας ότι η χώρα του «είναι ανοιχτή και σε άλλα κράτη που θα ήθελαν να συμμετάσχουν».
Παράλληλα, ο υπουργός Άμυνας προανήγγειλε αναθεώρηση της εθνικής στρατηγικής άμυνας, δίνοντας έμφαση στην ανάπτυξη εγχώριων δυνατοτήτων. Σύμφωνα με όσα ανέφερε, «η κρατική εταιρεία Kayo έχει υπογράψει μέσα στο 2025 έξι συμφωνίες για την παραγωγή ελαφρού οπλισμού», ενώ βρίσκονται σε εξέλιξη διαπραγματεύσεις «με τον ιταλικό κολοσσό Fincantieri για την παραγωγή πλοίων στο Πασαλιμάνι». Στο ίδιο πλαίσιο, έκανε λόγο για τη δημιουργία «δύο περιφερειακών βάσεων πολιτικής προστασίας, μίας στον βορρά και μίας στον νότο της χώρας».
Regarding naval equipment, Vengu stated that "two warships and one more for civil-military purposes will be built," strengthening the capabilities of the Albanian fleet.
When asked about the lack of significant investments in tanks and fighter jets, the minister linked this strategy to albania's participation in nATO, Noting that The country chooses to invest in other sectors. in this context, He said that "we are Buying two firefighting aircraft and the goal is to deliver one within the year."
Special mention was made of pasalimani naval base and cooperation with TurkeyPirro Vengu clarified that there is no change in the current regime, stating that “there is an agreement since 1992, which has been ratified and renewed in 1998 and provides for the participation of Turkish naval forces stationed in Pasalimani on a rotational basis.” He added, “there is no modification to this agreement.”
In closing, the Minister of defense referred to Albania's preparation for hosting the NATO Summit in 2027, which Is expected to bring leaders of member States and thousands of alliance officials to Tirana.
