Albania creates the reserve force

2024-10-30 19:32:00, Aktualitet CNA

The Albanian government has opened the way for the creation of the reserve force, after it has approved the draft law that regulates the operation and organization of such a force.

The Minister of Defense in Albania, Pirro Vengu, told reporters that it is intended that from January 2025, the first steps for the formation of the reservist force will be started.

Through this draft law, Vengu said that they give opportunities to military personnel who have decided to develop their careers in the private sector, to also engage in the Armed Forces of Albania, with specific missions. He said that these missions may include peacekeeping missions within the framework of engagement in NATO or in the region.

"Within NATO's obligations and standards and new security challenges, the need has arisen to consider the creation and organization of the reservist force," said Vengu.

The government will allocate 15.5 million euros next year for this force, said Vengu.

The service will include a reserve force that will consist of 25 percent of the active forces, or about 2,100 people, thus providing a significant capacity for rapid response in emergencies.

According to the provisions of the new draft law, military personnel who, at the time of entry into force of this law, have entered the reserve force, according to the criteria defined in the law on military career in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, as well as civilians , who meet the criteria for accepting military service in the reserve, are recruited through the competition procedure and sign the relevant contract for the military service in the reserve with a duration of not less than 2 years. This contract can then be renewed.

"All NATO countries have a reserve force and in this way we have another instrument to make the Armed Forces more attractive and this gives them the opportunity to have a wider range of personnel available. We consider the Armed Forces either active or reserve, as national capacities", said Minister Vengu.

Earlier, the Government of Albania approved the increase in financial treatment for employees of the defense sector. The salary increase goes up to 700 euros. This decision affects 6,000 employees of the Armed Forces.

Albania will also soon revive the old military industry. The authorities have emphasized that the reactivation of the old military industry arose as a need after the geopolitical changes.

With the help of the NATO Public Procurement Agency, a report on the state of the military industry facilities in Albania has been drawn up. In the national security strategy, it is stated that the aim is to modernize the Armed Forces to respond to new security challenges.

In July of this year, the European Council approved an aid package of 13 million euros to support Albania's army./REL