Defence Minister Niko Peleshi during his official visit to the USA was received at the Pentagon by the American Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III. 

Their talks focused on the continuation of Albania's strategic cooperation with the United States of America in defence and security, as well as strengthening the political dialogue. 

Secretary Austin and Minister Peleshi discussed the assistance provided to Albania by the New Jersey National Guard following the cyber attack and agreed to continue working together to further strengthen the cyber defence capabilities of the Ministry of Defence of Albania. Defense Minister Peleshi expressed his thanks for the immediate support provided by the specialized American cyber defence teams, while he expressed the need for US support to be more extended to other systems in the country, apart from those of the Ministry of Defence. 

During the conversation, Minister Peleshi considered last year a record year in terms of joint projects with the US, mentioning here the start of work on the NATO tactical base in Kuçovo, the modernization of the Air Force with Black Hawk helicopters, as well as the projects in military education, etc. 

Minister Peleshi also presented the project of the new port of Porto Romano to the American Secretary of Defence, as well as the strategic importance of this port for the region, South-Eastern Europe and the NATO Alliance. 

Minister Peleshi emphasized the commitment of Albania to be a factor of stability in the region and beyond, while he stated that Kosovo is a National Strategic interest, expressing full support for Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic aspiration. 

Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III thanked Minister Peleshi for Albania's hosting of Exercise Defender-Europe 21 and the US Army Security Forces Assistance Brigade. Secretary Austin congratulated Minister Peleshi for Albania's steadfast support for Ukraine, for its commitment to NATO and its involvement in all Alliance operations.