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Italy Bolsters Albanian Military with Naval Vessel Donation
TIRANA, Albania – In a move to fortify Albania’s defense capabilities and enhance its maritime security operations, Italy has gifted a military ship to the Balkan nation. The donation is intended to bolster Albania’s naval strength, improve coastline patrols, and amplify its contributions to NATO missions.
Patrol Vessel Handed Over in Durres
The Libra P 402, a Cassiopea-class patrol vessel constructed by Italy in the late 1980s, was officially transferred to Albania on Tuesday. The handover ceremony took place at the port of Durres and was attended by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and the defense ministers of both Italy and Albania. The vessel, now bearing the Albanian flag and redesignated as P 133, signifies deepened military cooperation between the two nations.
Strengthening NATO Alliance
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized the importance of international collaboration within the NATO framework, stating, “Under these difficult times the nations should strive for closer joint cooperation.” He further elaborated that the ship donation represents a “tangible demonstration of the amity between Italy and Albania and our commitment to work together in military and economic spheres.”
Albanian Prime Minister Lauds Italian Generosity
Prime Minister Rama characterized the donation as “exceptionally generous, a testament to profound friendship and mutual respect.” The military asset is expected to significantly enhance Albania’s operational capacity in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
Vessel Specifications and Capabilities
The donated vessel is a 1,500-metric-ton, 79.8-meter patrol ship capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 knots. It boasts a range of 3,200 nautical miles and is primarily designed for maritime defense and surveillance missions. The ship accommodates a crew of 60 personnel and features both a helipad and a garage for expanded operational versatility.
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Expanding Operational Reach for Albania
Counter Admiral Adnan Agastra, head of the Albanian navy, highlighted the ship’s strategic importance. “It will serve not only in security and peacekeeping operations within Albania’s territorial waters in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, but also further afield in the Mediterranean Sea to participate in NATO endeavors,” he stated, underscoring the vessel’s role in broader regional security initiatives.
Italy’s Support for Albanian Military Modernization
Since Albania’s accession to NATO in 2009, Italy has been a key ally in its ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces to meet NATO standards. The renovated airport in Kucove, Albania, transformed into a NATO technical air base last year, stands as another example of this collaboration. Albania has actively contributed to NATO-led peace missions across Europe and beyond. The nation is currently engaged in full membership negotiations with the European Union, further cementing its integration into Western alliances.
Historical Context of Albania’s International Relations
Following World War II, Albania maintained close ties with the Soviet Union until 1961 and was a member of the Warsaw Treaty until its formal departure in 1968. Subsequently, Tirana aligned with China until 1978, after which it experienced a decline due to the cessation of Chinese financial aid. The communist regime in Albania collapsed following student protests in December 1990, leading to the first pluralistic elections in March 1991, marking a significant shift in the nation’s political landscape.
Recent Italy-Albania Agreements
In a separate bilateral agreement in November 2023, Albania and Italy entered into a five-year agreement to establish two asylum-processing facilities in Albania. These centers are intended to accommodate up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters. More recently, the Italian government sanctioned a decree to extend the use of these centers to include repatriation hubs, aligning with a recent EU proposal on migration management.
Migrant Transfer Incident Involving Vessel
Under Italian command last year, the Libra, the same vessel now donated to Albania, was utilized in initial attempts to transfer 73 migrants to Albania under the aforementioned agreement. However, Italian judicial authorities intervened, refusing to validate their detention in the non-EU nation, resulting in the migrants being returned to Italy shortly thereafter. This incident highlights the complexities of international migration policies and their implementation.