Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, delivered a keynote address at the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Brussels, focusing on recent developments in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and Albania’s role in the Alliance.
Speaking on behalf of the Albanian Parliament, Spiropali expressed deep concern over rising tensions between Israel and Iran, calling the situation dangerous and excessive.
She issued a strong call for Iran to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile activities, urging compliance with international obligations, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT):
“Albania calls on Iran to cease its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and to act in accordance with its obligations under international law, including the NPT,” she stated.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Spiropali condemned Russia’s unprovoked aggression, stating that it undermines the foundations of the rules-based international order:
“We, as parliamentarians, democrats, and allies, cannot and must not remain passive observers. Albania has condemned the aggression and joined NATO and EU measures in solidarity with Ukraine, including sanctions, military aid, and humanitarian support.”
She also noted her recent participation in the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa to demonstrate full support for Ukraine and witness the situation firsthand.
On Albania’s position in NATO, Spiropali emphasized the Alliance as the cornerstone of transatlantic security and a reflection of shared values such as democracy, rule of law, and collective defense:
“Albania is proud to stand firm in this Alliance—not just as a member, but as a committed contributor to its vision and mission,” she said.
She stressed that 21st-century security includes hybrid threats, disinformation, cyberattacks, and the use of energy and migration as weapons—challenges that require a comprehensive response.
“Our parliaments must play a key role in legislation, oversight, and public discourse. In Albania, we are strengthening institutional resilience by investing in cybersecurity and combating malicious narratives,” she noted.
Spiropali also underlined the link between security and the development of democratic institutions, human rights, and economic opportunity, and reaffirmed Albania’s support for NATO enlargement and strategic partnerships in various regions.
“Our government has significantly increased the defense budget, reaching 2% of GDP, in line with the Alliance’s burden-sharing goal. We are modernizing our armed forces, with the transformation of the Kuçova Air Base as a key NATO infrastructure priority,” she added.
Concluding her speech, she called for greater focus on the Western Balkans:
“We urge our allies and partners to maintain strong political and military engagement in our region, as the security of the Western Balkans is inseparable from the security of Europe and the broader NATO area,” Spiropali concluded.
