Italian Defense Chief Portolano Discusses Naval Cooperation and Ship Transfer in Albania

  Italy’s Chief of Defense Staff, Luciano Portolano, met with Albania’s top leadership in Tirana, focusing on strengthening military cooperation and enhancing maritime capabilities through a planned naval asset transfer.

 Bajram Begaj from the left shaking hands with Portolano on the right

During his official visit to Tirana, Portolano held meetings with Albania’s President Bajram Begaj, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi, and Albanian Chief of Defense Staff General Arben Kingji. The discussions centered on deepening bilateral defense ties and reinforcing regional security cooperation between the two NATO allies, Italian media say.

A key topic of the talks was the proposed transfer of the Italian Navy vessel “Libra” to Albania. The initiative aims to significantly boost the operational capacity of the Albanian Navy, particularly in coastal patrol, maritime surveillance, and participation in NATO-led missions. The move reflects Italy’s continued support for Albania’s defense modernization and its integration into broader alliance structures.

Officials emphasized that the handover of the vessel would provide Albania with enhanced tools to monitor its territorial waters more effectively, contributing to stability in the Adriatic and Ionian regions. Strengthening maritime security remains a shared priority, especially in the context of regional challenges and the need for coordinated responses within NATO frameworks.

The visit also highlighted the strategic partnership between Italy and Albania, built on longstanding political, economic, and military cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing joint initiatives, improving interoperability, and supporting collective defense efforts.

The potential transfer of “Libra” underscores a practical step toward achieving these goals, offering Albania increased capability while reinforcing NATO’s southern flank through closer collaboration.