On the occasion of the 7th anniversary of Albania's membership in NATO, in the "Mother Teresa" in Tirana is organized a ceremony with the participation of senior officials of Albania and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
This ceremony is opened by a speech of Tirana mayor, Erion Veliaj, who country's NATO membership considered a great event.
In his speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Bushati said that he feels proud that Albanian flag flies at the headquarters of NATO from 7 years and according to him Albanian membership in the Alliance made the country a safe place.The Minister of Defence of Albania, Kodheli stressed that "today we are celebrating one of the greatest achievements for the country's security. Over the years, alongside with 27 other members have addressed many threats to our common security. Albanian soldiers gave their contribution in Afghanistan and Iraq. Already, peacekeeping missions have become a tradition for the Albanian troops. We are able to show the best values of an armed force," said Kodheli.
Albania participated for the first time as a member with full rights of NATO in Summit Alliance which held in Strasbourg on April 4, 2009, while on April 7, 2009, at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, was held the official ceremony of raising the flags of Albania and Croatia in NATO.