President Milanović Meets with Albania’s Defense Minister Ermal Nufi: Preserving and Strengthening Peace and Stability is a Mutual Interest

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today met with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Ermal Nufi, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Croatia. The main objective of cooperation between Croatia and Albania is to preserve and strengthen peace and stability in Southeast Europe, as this is a mutual interest of both countries, as concluded during the meeting.

The discussions focused on the traditionally friendly bilateral relations between the two countries, which are free of unresolved political issues. A key point was the establishment of a legal framework for structured technical assistance during Albania’s integration process into the European Union.

On the topic of defense cooperation between NATO members Croatia and Albania, it was emphasized that such cooperation primarily occurs within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It will continue to focus on developing military capabilities and interoperability in areas such as training, exercises, military education, and joint participation in Alliance operations. Furthermore, the continuation of cooperation with Albania through multilateral initiatives, especially the US-Adriatic Charter, was reaffirmed.

The meeting at the Office of the President was also attended by Albania’s Ambassador to Croatia, Donika Hoxha; Deputy Minister of Defense, Blerina Abrazhda; Director of the Defense Policy Directorate, Gjergji Methoxha; Head of the Minister of Defense’s Cabinet, Ervis Tema; Rector of the Armed Forces Academy, Brigadier General Bardhyl Nuredinaj; Albania’s Military Envoy to Croatia, Colonel Edvis Spahi; and Adviser to the Minister of Defense, Ermal Kaleci.

Alongside President Milanović, those present at the meeting included Ivica Olujić, Adviser to the President for Defense; Neven Pelicarić, Adviser to the President for Foreign and European Policy; Colonel Franjo Hrala, Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defense and National Security of the Office of the President; and Colonel Dražen Jožef, Head of the Sector for International Cooperation and Security at the Ministry of Defense.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan