Tirana hosted the 28th Conference of the Chiefs of Defense of the Adriatic Charter (US–A5).
The proceedings of this conference, held in Albania for the second consecutive year, were welcomed by Minister of Defense Pirro Vengu, who emphasized Albania’s determination to remain a reliable partner, a builder of regional consensus, and to strengthen its role in Euro-Atlantic security.
Vengu also stressed that Kosovo should be fully and formally included as a natural member of this community, highlighting the need for the initiative to adapt to today’s regional security realities.
He underlined: “We must move away from the blame game and distance ourselves from the fireworks that keep our region behind. Building trust, acceptance, and practical cooperation is the only way forward. Let us have the courage to elevate this initiative to the level of its founding vision: a family of nations not divided by history, but united in destiny.”
At the conclusion of the conference, the Chiefs of Defense signed a Joint Declaration which, in addition to strengthening joint capacities and enhancing Euro-Atlantic security, emphasized the importance of Kosovo’s full inclusion as a natural part of this regional initiative.
Vengu highlighted the Adriatic Charter as a mechanism of cooperation and resilience:
“The Adriatic Charter was born out of a vision of cooperation, stability, and a shared Euro-Atlantic destiny. Its principles remain unchanged, but in a rapidly changing strategic environment, we must adapt and renew its mission. For Albania, the Charter is not merely another regional initiative but a driver of practical cooperation and collective resilience. The participation of the United States makes it an initiative of great importance,” Vengu stated.
Referring to the decisions of the Hague Summit, the minister said these decisions “give us a unique opportunity to assume greater responsibility for our regional security and take on more responsibility within NATO and the EU.”
Vengu also outlined five key areas where Albania and its partners must act decisively:
- Increasing financial resources for defense budgets;
- Expanding the defense industry and military production;
- Acquiring lethal and dual-use capabilities to modernize the Armed Forces;
- Investing in critical infrastructure and host nation capacity to strengthen resilience;
- Enhancing interoperability with allies and partners through training, exercises, and operations.
“Albania is moving firmly in this direction by increasing defense spending, revitalizing our industrial bases, and investing in infrastructure in line with NATO and EU criteria. Our goal is to position Albania as a reliable hub for the defense industry — a crossroads for military connectivity, interoperability, and mobility across Southeastern Europe and the Adriatic region, an area of undeniable strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security,” Vengu stated.
The 28th Conference of the Chiefs of Defense of the Adriatic Charter (US–A5) was co-chaired by Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Gojko Knezevic, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the signatory countries of the Charter (United States, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia), observer countries (Kosovo and Slovenia), representatives of the U.S. National Guard and State Partnership Program member states, as well as the Deputy Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples.
