Albania, EU, Sign Agreement On Security Cooperation

The European Union and Albania have signed a framework agreement on the participation of Albania in EU crisis management operations across the world, according to an EU statement issued Tuesday.

The agreement was signed in Brussels on Tuesday by Pierre Vimont, the Executive Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Albania's deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Edmond Haxhinasto.

Albania is already a partner in the area of the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The two sides had earlier negotiated "ad hoc arrangements" for Albania's participation in two EU military operations, namely EUFOR Tchad/RCA in Chad and the Central African Republic, and EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The agreement signed Tuesday "will set out a legal framework for possible future Albanian participation in the full range of EU-led military operations and civilian missions, and represents a step towards more structured cooperation between the EU and Albania in the security field," the EU statement said.

The new agreement also sets a legal framework for future Albanian participation in EU's on-going and future EU crisis management efforts across the world and eliminates unnecessary delays in cases where Albania accepts invitation to participate in EU operations.

"The agreement comes in response to Albania's strong desire to contribute with personnel and assets to the EU efforts, offering enhanced effectiveness and flexibility in response to future crises," the statement added.