TIRANA – At the venues of the Albanian Joint Support Command Wednesday was held ceremony on occasion of the first contingent of EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) setting out for Latvia where it will join the NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence there, ATA reports.
The event was attended by Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli, Commander of the Joint Support Command, Colonel Ardian Bali, and other leading figures of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense.
Kodheli said in her speech delivered on this occasion that following the NATO membership, the concept of collective defense has evolved our perception of defense because now the borders of every ally country are even our borders and this is an embodiment of the values of freedom and democracy.
“In this context, these soldiers depart today to make a contribution to defense, prevention and what is more in guaranteeing the security of the NATO ally countries in Eastern Europe.”
Further on, Kodheli highlighted the government and the Armed Forces responsibility and seriousness for holding the burden that belongs to it within the Alliance as well as devotion and fulfillment of the obligations in the context of commitments in relation to the ally countries in line with agreement reached at Warsaw summit.
In addition to engagement within the country, EOD makes a contribution in Mali, Africa and actually in Latvia. Albania is part of the Canadian-led NATO battalion in Latvia in which take part Italy, Poland and Slovenia.