The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, received today General Luciano Portolano, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Italy. During the meeting, President Begaj praised the very good relations and strategic partnership between Albania and Italy.

The Head of State appreciated Italy's valuable contribution to Albania's Euro-Atlantic integration process, as well as the continuous support in the transformation and modernization of the Albanian Armed Forces through education, training and increasing defense capacities. The President of the Republic appreciated the cooperation within the framework of NATO and EU international missions, where Albanian and Italian troops have served together in operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Latvia, Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
President Begaj expressed gratitude for Italy's contribution and for the support provided to Albanian troops.

During the meeting, the importance of the KFOR mission for guaranteeing peace and security in Kosovo and the region was also emphasized, considering it as a strategic priority for the long-term stability of the Western Balkans. The President of the Republic expressed his belief that the cooperation between the Armed Forces of Albania and Italy will continue to be further strengthened in the function of security, peace and common prosperity.