UK builds stronger Albania defence partnership

The UK is set to build a stronger relationship with Albania by working together on NATO exercises.

During a visit to Tirana and the mountain training area of Biza, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon met Albanian Prime minister Edi Rama and Defence Minister Mimi Kidheli, to witness British faces participating in Exercise Joint Effort.

The Exercise involved a ten-day mission aimed at improving mutual effectiveness on operations.

Fallon confirmed the UK would be appointing its first ever resident Defence Attaché and would work with Albania to meet security challenges in the Balkans.

The exercise is the first to be held in Albania after the announcement that the county will contribute a Light Infantry Company to the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) when the UK leads the force in 2017.

In October, approximately 1,500 Royal Navy personnel will take part for the fifth consecutive year in the amphibious exercise Albanian Lion. UK participants including Royal Navy capital ships HMS Ocean and HMS Bulwark, RFA Mounts Bay and MV Eddystone will join 250 members of the Albanian Armed Forces.

The exercise will also include lead elements of a Royal Marine Commando group, Royal Navy divers and Commando engineers.

Fallon commented: “Albania is a key partner in Southern Europe, an ally which is meeting its security challenges through its NATO commitments and more. Troops from both of our countries enjoy the first class training facilities here, and I look forward to our countries working together further when the UK takes over the Very High Readiness task force next year.”