Minister Vengu meets with senior U.S. officials: Albania committed to strengthening defense cooperation and global security

Minister Vengu meets with senior U.S. officials: Albania committed to strengthening defense cooperation and global security

Albania's Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, recently concluded an important visit to the United States, where he engaged with senior U.S. officials and NATO representatives. The discussions centered on bolstering defense cooperation, advancing the modernization of Albania's Armed Forces, and reinforcing regional and global security.

On the first day, Minister Vengu met with Amanda Dory, U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Their discussions highlighted Albania's commitment to NATO's agenda and emphasized the government's allocation of the largest defense budget in two decades. Key topics included joint efforts in modernizing military capabilities, cybersecurity, and regional security in the Balkans. Minister Vengu also discussed U.S. foreign military financing to support Albania's defense modernization and the revitalization of its military industry.

The second day featured engagements at NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. Minister Vengu and Admiral Vandier explored NATO's strategic transformation to address current and future threats, focusing on innovation, defense planning, and cybersecurity. A separate meeting with Admiral Perry underscored the importance of Atlantic communication lines and military mobility, with Albania reaffirming its political and personnel contributions to NATO's command structures.

Minister Vengu also met with Stanley Brown, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, to discuss Albania's priorities, including defense modernization, military industry revitalization, and infrastructure development. Special attention was given to strategic investments along Corridor VIII and the potential of the Durrës-Porto Romano port complex to enhance logistics and allied troop mobility in Southeast Europe.
Both sides emphasized Albania's vital role in regional and Euro-Atlantic security, its steadfast support for Ukraine amid Russian aggression, and its historical assistance to Afghan refugees. The visit laid the groundwork for a new strategic chapter in Albania-U.S. defense cooperation, with concrete agreements expected in the coming months.