TIRANA, Albania – On a trip to highlight Albania’s contribution to peace and stability, the Allied Joint Force Command Naples Commander met with current and future leaders in Tirana from April 3 to 4.
During his two day visit, Admiral James Foggo, JFC Naples commander, met with the Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Petro Koci, the Chief of Defence, Brigadier General Bardhyl Kollçaku, and the Albanian Commander Naval Forces, Major General Ylber Dogjani. During the meeting, topics included Albania’s role both as a prospering Western Balkan country and as an increasingly important NATO member.
Speaking to the cadets and staff of Tirana’s Military Academy as a focused part of his visit, Foggo expressed his appreciation for the Albanian support to multiple NATO missions and activities in the region and abroad.
"Albania is the second highest troop contributor per capita to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan -- that’s a phenomenal contribution from a staunch ally,” Foggo said. "Also the effort Albania spends in cooperating with its neighbors is really remarkable.”
Addressing the younger, future leader generation, both military and civilian, he stressed that the Western Balkans region is on the right track.
The visit concluded with a discussion hosted by the U.S. Embassy on prosperity and security related topics with students coming from towns across Albania, the Embassy’s youth council and the Balkan’s Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The attending teenagers showed enthusiasm to be involved in community development activities such as environmental protection and local politics. Foggo emphasized dialogue is the most important thing and concluded there are many friends in a multipolar world -- so everybody has to choose wisely.
"Peace and security are the premise for any improvement, for business and economic growth. And the security improved significantly! Wherever I travel across the region, I talk with young people pushing their countries forward. Keep going that way!” Foggo said.
Story by JFC Naples Public Affairs Office