web counter
LEXO PA REKLAMA!

SHKARKO APP

App Store
Google Play

75th anniversary of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance for Security and Values ​​(NATO)

2024-04-04 13:24:00, Opinione Piro Ahmetaj

75th anniversary of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance for Security and Values

April 4, 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Alliance, an event that gives additional value to our nation as it also coincides with the 15th anniversary of RSh's membership in NATO ( April 4, 2009 ). 

When 75 years ago, World War II strategist, "founding father ", NATO's first Commander and US President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, designed NATO as a political-military power for the guarantee of collective defense (member countries) in the event of an attack by the Soviet Union, perhaps even he himself did not think that he had laid the foundations of the most powerful and successful Alliance in the history of mankind.

In 75 years, NATO has not only successfully fulfilled the " mission of General Eisenhower ", for the territorial inviolability of the member countries, but has also served as an instrument of invincible military power (deterrence); of belief in peace, the basic principles of democracy, as well as for the promotion of Western values. 

After the disintegration of the Warsaw Treaty, the "Open Door " policy remains among the projects of essential weight, which still serves as a " big door and an added guarantee " for the integration of former communist countries of birth into the EU. While after the collapse of the USSR: " NATO has survived as well as dominated the global security market " through an all-round process of transformation/modernization of the concept, structure, armament, planning, strengthening of cohesion, as well as the culture of cooperation between member countries .

Today in the Euro-Atlantic space of 32 NATO countries lives a population of about 1 billion inhabitants; carries ½ of the world economy; there are 8 million ( 4 active forces and as many reserves ), while only 3 countries ( USA, France and UK ) possess nuclear weapons for exercising the policy of discouraging potential enemies [deterrence].

Engagements in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, etc., proved the unrivaled military power and critical weight of NATO for the benefit of peace and as a " school of democratic values ??in the whole world".

Fortunately for our nation, NATO's 75-year history culminates/shines with the military intervention to stop the genocide and liberate Kosovo from the criminal machine of Miloševi? (1999), which, although outside Article 5, legitimized the Alliance as: " The hope of peace and human rights around the globe ". Therefore, it would not even be noble, if every April 4th we do not repeat the nationwide gratitude to the USA/NATO.

75 years have confirmed the " vital role of the USA in the Transatlantic Alliance ", as it bears the main burden of military expenditure with about 1 trillion USD (year 2024) or more than 70% of the common budget of NATO. However, I must mention that due to the " legitimate pressure of the USA/Trump ", NATO in 2024 marked the highest budget in history, the 32 countries reached the record figure of +1.5 trillion € (the other 31 members €500 billion) in order to the modernization of military capabilities as well as the increase of NATO's credibility. 

While this 75-year-old also carries " strong messages of hope " for NATO's determination as well as the end that awaits Putinist Russia, which: "After more than 25 months of barbaric war, it could not be conquered with dances, tanks, drones and rockets Martyr Ukraine" , while in fact it has shamefully lost 40% of the occupied territories, the strategic initiative of the war, the battle to challenge the global security order, the interests and the military power of NATO. 

Moreover, the neo-Nazi war brought the expansion with the two Nordic countries ( Finland & Sweden ) as well as the support with over €130 billion of modern weapons, including leopard tanks, Patriot systems, F-16 aircraft, etc., which are evidence for cohesion and NATO's strengthened determination to support Ukraine until victory over the common evil ( Putinist Russia ).

Also, in response to Russia's war against the sovereignty of Ukraine, about 100,000 active troops, 130 aircraft and 140 warships of NATO have been deployed on its eastern borders ( Poland, Baltic, Nordic countries, Central and Southeast Europe ), demonstrating the unrivaled military power in defense of the territorial integrity, as well as the geopolitical interests of the Alliance.

Thus, there are no more dilemmas, not only for the rusty minds not only in the Kremlin, Belgrade, etc., that thanks to the heroic resistance of the Ukrainians, but also to the uncompromising support of NATO, Putin's Russia is today more isolated/discreet than never before ( e.g. only Kim-Jong and Vu?i? congratulated him for his self-appointment with bayonets ); it risks exclusion from the 5th decision-making body of the SC/UN and, as is known, the International Court of Justice has issued an " arrest warrant for war crimes " against Putin and the list of tyrannical Generals around him.

15 years after joining NATO, Albania remains even more committed! 

First of all, I repeat the strategic conviction that RSh's membership in NATO deserves to remain engraved in the memory of national history as: "the second geopolitical achievement after the declaration of independence on November 28, 1912".

As a witness on the date that RS sat at the NATO decision-making table ( Cologne/Strasbourg Summit ), I certainly know very well that the official date of accession is April 1, 2009. But in 15 years, I continue to strongly insist on to " move and merge the protocol celebrations from April 1 to the date of NATO's founding " (ie April 4, 1949). Therefore, I recommend April 4 as: "wise finding ", as it overcomes the burdens around April 1 ( day of lies ), as well as confirms a great truth, which honors this historical event for the nation.

Anyway, while repeating my gratitude to the USA, I continue to reject the "populist nonsense" that RSh's membership in NATO was just a gift?! This is because, as among the witnesses of this trip, I am very convinced that this achievement ( April 4, 2009 ) was the merit of the 15-year efforts of the official Tirana ( PfP/1994 - MAP/1999 - NATO/2009 ) to fulfill the century-old aspiration of Albanians towards the west. So, membership was a product of defense reforms, broad political consensus and national cohesion. Thus, it is enough to mention the fact that from the paranoid self-sufficiency with 115 thousand active forces and the stupidity of the entire military people who consumed 25% of the GDP before 1990 ( an approach that discredited the nation and exhausted the Albanians ), after joining the collective defense/NATO, FA have +9 thousand, while Albanians spend no more than 2% of GDP!

Also, in this 30-year journey towards/after membership in the Alliance ( 1994-2024 ), from a consumer point of view, RSh is confirmed as a contributor to security, since since 1996 more than 10,000 soldiers have contributed to NATO operations in Bosnia. , Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Georgia, Mali, etc.

However, beyond " extreme conflict, as a result of national tragedies (1997, etc.) from privatization and political-electoral misuse of superpower" , RSh's membership in NATO remains perhaps the only achievement, if not the only one at all, as a product of will and consensus political as well as broad popular support.

Considering these, it would be unfair not to bring to attention the exemplary dedication of former President/Prime Minister Sali Berisha since the official request to join the alliance/PfP in 1992, until full membership in NATO ( April 4, 2009 ), and not to repeat the deep gratitude to Albania's great friends, such as Presidents Bush, Clinton; Secretaries Baker, Allbright, Powell, Rice, of Defense Perry, Rumsfeld, Gate, etc. as well as for the well-known generals, Clark, Jones, Stavridis, Petraus, etc., for the extraordinary support in fulfilling the aspirations of the Albanians.

Also, we mention that in the 15 years from 2009 to 2024, official Tirana has proven that membership was by no means Albania's last stop, but a new era, with additional benefits, challenges and responsibilities. Therefore, I welcomed the dignified representation in the SC/UN; unconditional support of NATO decision-making; the achievement of 2% of GDP for 2024, the construction of the Ku?ova Air Base, as well as the more than modest contributions that RS continues to make not only to Ukraine.

But, beyond the privatization and excessive celebrations, unfortunately divided for this geopolitical achievement of RS, the state responsibility to raise even higher the status and prestige of Albania in NATO as well as the role as a "Leader country" to liberate the region remains permanent. from the centuries-old hatred and in the Euro-Atlantic journey of the 6 countries of the Western Balkans.

On the other hand, it is articulated, perhaps to the point of cacophony, that in security reforms, inclusiveness and political consensus are required! But despite the historic decision of the Constitutional Court (2015), the good harmonization of the 3 constitutional powers on strategic decision-making in the field of security and national interests still remains critical.

Whereas, as one of the contributors to Albania's 30-year journey towards/after NATO membership (1994 - 2009 - 2024), I value as a priority the transformation of the Security System, i.e.: "updating the concept with that of NATO, modernizing the structures , equipment; operational skills and the culture of cooperation between state agencies, in the interest of the safety of life, health, property, and well-being of citizens; restoring confidence in Euro-Atlantic values; the protection of national interests as well as the fulfillment of RSh's obligations in NATO".

In addition, I have to repeat that in national security reforms, "not a single penny is worth" privatization, politicization of the party of membership; neither the Bolshevik gloats from the power of superpower, nor the cynical jokes about the misery of the opposition occupied by sick realtors and egocentrics, but only... love, humility for the country, high state responsibility, as well as trust and blessing towards the strategic partnership with the USA /NATO.

To conclude: " 15 years after the membership of the Republic of Albania in NATO, I believe even more strongly that the most powerful Alliance in the history of mankind will remain so for the next 75 years..."!

* Author, General ® Piro Ahmetaj: 

Expert for SK, the Region and NATO, 

Vice President of the Atlantic Council; & ex:

Advisor for National Security in DP,

Advisor to the President, Deputy Minister of Finance, 

Military Representative in SHAPE/NATO. 





Lajmet e fundit nga