Important figures of diplomacy, politics and high officials of the USA came together to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in NATO.

The 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in NATO brought together personalities of politics, diplomacy, history and high officials of the USA, who brought their memories of this historic event for Albania.

Meanwhile, Fatmir Mediu, former Minister of Defense, said that in order to reach membership in the Euro-Atlantic alliance, several reforms were carried out in cooperation with the USA.

“Albania de facto became a member of NATO when President Bush came to Tirana, which not only from the protocol point of view we reached the peak of relations with the USA, but on the other hand I think he gave two substantial messages, Albania in NATO and undoubtedly the independence of Kosovo” – said Mediu.

Former Foreign Minister Paskal Milo recounted an episode from 1998 that confirms that Albania’s relations with NATO were close many years before membership.

“Albania’s relations with NATO became so close that at that time, for the first time, the Albanian government requested an urgent meeting of the NATO Council in March 1998. And this meeting took place only at the request of the Albanian government, in relation to the threats made to the region,” he said.

The conference for the 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in NATO was also greeted by important diplomatic figures.