A group of 30 commandos from the Albanian Armed Forces have joined the NATO international mission, codenamed "KFOR 1" in Peja, Kosovo.

The ceremony of launching the contingent in this mission was held in the presence of the Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Prof. Assoc. Bajram Begaj and the commanders of the forces.

In his speech, the Minister of Defense described this as a mission of great importance for Kosovo, but also for the Western Balkans region.

"After the withdrawal and closure of the mission in Afghanistan, we pledged to continue to increase our participation in NATO and international missions in general, and this is the case. We are materializing the increase of our presence in KFOR, for the first time we lead in this mission, the mission "KFOR 1" a special contingent of the best boys and girls we have in the FA. In these challenging days of global peace and security, this doubles and increases the attention, but also the responsibility of each of us and each of you to serve professionally, with military discipline, with dignity in respect of the code of ethics and values. of our alliance ', said the minister.

Speaking about the situation in Ukraine and the messages given by NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, Minister Peleshi said that "not an inch of this alliance can be touched, because NATO is the most powerful military and political alliance in world “. Addressing the troops who left with a mission, the Minister of Defense stressed: “I would like to see your work there every day as a contribution to global peace and security, as a contribution to the freedom of our citizens, the citizens of the world, the citizens of the region, because in the last 48 hours the normality as Secretary-General Stoltenberg said has changed; we are in a new normalcy. So, in a one-sided way, a power like Russia gave up the principles that held the world order as a pillar and turned history back, in the time of spheres of influence even the conquest of a weaker state by a more powerful state. "We have to be vigilant, we have to be vigilant, we have to be dignified with our allies and make our flag fly proudly alongside other Alliance flags."

On his part, the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Bajram Begaj said that "such missions have responsibilities due to the pandemic situation, but currently the defining special feature is the very turbulent security situation that is developing and precipitating in dangerous and extremely threatening escalations on the east side of the Alliance. Global security is more endangered and threatened than ever. Our region and country are not immune to these actions of Russia. "So in these hot situations you will be there for a great understanding that becomes even more meaningful and meaningful, for security, freedom, peace, to serve the Alliance and our country."

The 30 Commando troops will serve in this mission alongside the Croatian and Italian allies.