Albania recognizes that addressing the array of new threats requires more than just military means. Albania’s security is guaranteed by the membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and close ties with the European Union, as well as close cooperation with allies and other international partners. Albania regards its own security and that of its allies as indivisible.

Therefore, as a NATO member and EU candidate country, Albania advocates for closer cooperation between NATO and the EU in facing these challenges. An illustrative example is Albania’s participation in NATO’s operation in the Aegean Sea since 2016, supporting the EU’s efforts against illegal migration. For Albania, active NATO-EU cooperation in the security domain is crucial for the security of Europe and beyond. The EU is a strategic and essential partner for NATO, sharing common values, strategic interests, and challenges. Consequently, NATO and the EU naturally collaborate more closely than ever before in 74 areas, including addressing hybrid threats. Particularly significant for Albania is the NATO-EU cooperation concerning security in our region, evident in various parts such as Kosova and Bosnia and Herzegovina.