Reverence and respect for the Albanian people, who despite a wild multi-year dictatorship, kept in mind spirit and desire to join the North Atlantic Alliance as the most successful alliance in world history, for maintaining peace and security in difficult periods of instability and uncertainty in different countries and regions of the world
For Albanians, peace is sacred and our people have treasured it for century. After 90s, about 90%, more than other nations, saw and has seen this alliance as guarantee for peace in the world.
As a result of our people’s belief in the values of this alliance, Albania was among the first countries to become an active part of the initiative for Partnership for Peace program {PfP}, despite economic difficulties, limited resources and the fragility of democratic institutions undergoing in this protracted period of transition.
Finally, the Bucharest Summit on April 2, 2009, justified the almost 50-year dream of the Albanian people, who already is aware of the lost time on his way to integration in modern society, through the inclusion and commitment to Euro-Atlantic security structures.
Even simple sailors or their leaders after ’80, largely viewed the actions of the dictatorship against the alliance as funny, while performing the tasks blindly and obedient, in heart and mind they admired alliance. Despite our sailors navigate the seas and oceans across the world they didn’t create any incident with NATO ships or US fleet in the world.
Reverence and respect for all former prisoners and political persecuted, no matter that despite endless ordeal of suffering, in dungeon dictatorship, they kept alive the dream of Albania being part of the NATO Alliance.
Reverence and respect for Albanians in the Diaspora who supported the diversified efforts of our country’s membership in NATO, and many of them have been military alliance since its creation.
Reverence and respect for our port workers, graciously welcomed anchoring of NATO ships, thus facilitating their mooring to ensure our ports.
Reverence and respect to our sailors, who on December 4th 1992, made the first agreement of cooperation with NATO, regarding former Yugoslavia embargo, despite that we were not a member of alliance yet. Reverence and respect for the crews of two torpedo-boats and 3 sailors squad, who in spring 1993, generously hosted with perfect military ceremony, Secretary General of NATO, His Excellency, Mr. Manfred Werner and Commander of NATO, Four stars General, Vincent.
Reverence and respect for all our military personnel, Navy, Army and Air Forces, who participated in the first joint training peacekeeping SAR-EX-01, beside the US Navy Marines, and marking the first cooperation with friendly NATO troupes, after half a century of Cold War.
Reverence and respect for all Albanian citizens, from Durres to Vlora, from Saranda to Shngjin, from Kavaja to Shkodra and Tirana, throughout South to North, East to West, since early 90s, they rise against conservative of that time, and applied tradition of loyal and mahogany of the Albanian people for his guest, which in these cases were NATO.
Reverence and respect for our Armed Forces, who in recent years have been an integral part of the operations and principal activities of NATO, even giving the first martyrs, as Captain Feti Vogli, a common hero of the Albanian people and alliance. While the participation of the Albanian Armed Forces in the activities of the Atlantic Alliance and its partner countries is a great experience and very helpful, showing that we share common values with NATO, and also able to put these values in function of peace and security.
Reverence and respect for all retired and former military, with pain, caution and prudence, supported democratic processes in this country, as well as reforms undertaken in the framework of the reform of the Armed Forces transformation.
Reverence and respect for recruit corps of Albania who with dedication and professionalism is working to achieve the standards required by the alliance in the Armed Forces.
Reverence and respect for all our military personnel that are part of joint missions beside the alliance, by glorifying the name, flag, honor and pride of the eagle country.
Reverence and respect to the people of Alliance countries, political, economic, diplomatic and military, that helped resolving Kosovo issues, giving them the missing breath.
Reverence and respect for the American people, the US military, with whom friendship and cooperation has been very significant and useful, because it reflected peace, prosperity, security and stability for the Albanian nation, as our renaissance dreamed for. After nearly 60 years later, US donated a very special plan Marshall to the Albanian nation, which is helping it to successfully overcome the geopolitical challenges of the new millennium, in time and space. US presence in the region is an integral part of the security process and contributes to the peace and stability in the region and Europe. Therefore Albanians should be grateful to American people forever and ever.
Reverence and respect for all of our media journalists, who during these years, with truth and realism, followed the activities of the Joint Armed Forces of Albania and alliance.
Finally, reverence and respect for all Albanians celebrated April 2, 5th anniversary of Albania’s membership in NATO, together, in the right place, without prejudice perennial generations have caused us loss.
Shefqet Kërcelli