The advanced headquarters of the American special forces in Europe starts working in Albania

The activation ceremony of the advanced headquarters of the American operational forces in Europe took place in Tirana today, which will have a permanent base in Albania.

The Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Army Bajram Begaj explained that this presence "will serve to increase interoperability, increase efficiency, provide more training, and develop the capabilities of special forces of other NATO countries." in the region ".

This headquarters will expand its activity throughout the Balkan region.

"This headquarters will provide partners and allies with access and flexibility to enable the best, faster and more efficient development of operations," said Major General Begaj.

For the commander of US special operations in Europe, David Tabor, the objective is "to train our allies and partners by improving our capabilities and staying in position to respond to the crisis if it occurs."

"The capabilities of the special operations forces enable stability in the region. This is another step forward as we increase co-operation with our partners in the Balkans," he said.

The Albanian Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, stated during the ceremony that the deployment of this headquarters is another proof of the efforts of the United States to increase the military capabilities of the countries of the region.

According to him, the decision came at the right time, at the height of insecurity and gloomy situations that Europe is going through with the Russian aggression in Ukraine, while noting "Russia's efforts to use certain spaces in the Balkan region."

According to the Chief of Staff of the Albanian Army, "the situation in our region seems calm, but it is delicate that even the smallest incidents can escalate and endanger the stability of the entire region."

"Special forces are important for their role in responding quickly to emergencies but also to ensure the flexibility of other forces if needed," he said.

Nga ana tjetër, shtoi gjeneral major Begaj “për qytetarët e Ballkanit është i rëndësishëm mesazhi që përcillet se rajoni ka rëndësi strategjike, politike dhe ushtarake, dhe ka interesin e vëmendjen e SHBA-ve dhe NATO-s".

"Kjo tregon qartë se SHBA-të janë të përkushtuara për ruajtjen e paqes në Ballkan veçanërisht në kohë si këto ku kohezioni dhe bashkëpunimi mes aleatëve është vendimtar” - theksoi zoti Begaj.

Ambasadorja amerikane Yuri Kim, shpjegoi se zgjedhja e Shqipërisë si bazë e shtabit të përparuar lidhet me partneritetin e ngushtë dhe respektin në rritje për Shqipërinë si një parter i Shteteve të Bashkuara për sigurinë.

The decision from the American side was announced in January, underlining that "the location of the headquarters in Albania will provide greater interoperability with Albanian allies, important access to transport centers in the Balkans and greater logistical flexibility. "This location greatly reduces travel time and increases the flexibility of special operations and conventional forces in the region." / VOA