24 cadets complete the 20th Basic Commando Course, including 8 from Kosovo. Minister Vengu: The future of both countries lies in NATO

24 cadets complete the 20th Basic Commando Course, including 8 from Kosovo. Minister Vengu: The future of both countries lies in NATO

After 14 weeks of intense training and sacrifice, 24 servicemen successfully completed the 20th Basic Commando Course. Among them were 8 servicemen from Kosovo, and for the first time, two women also finished the course. The ceremony for the symbolic distribution of the berets was attended by Defence Minister Pirro Vengu, the Defence Minister of Kosovo Ejup Maqedonci, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier General Altin Kurti, the Commander of the Land Force, Major General Ilir Xhebexhia, and the families of the graduates.

In his speech, Minister Vengu expressed his privilege in attending the ceremony, particularly because: "Today, 8 members of the Kosovo Special Forces are beginning their true journey, and they will serve their country in these uncertain times."

While acknowledging the hard work of all the servicemen, Minister Vengu said: "The selflessness and the love you have for this uniform surely motivated you to take on this demanding course, where not only your physical strength is tested but also your mental and professional resilience. Today, you are at the forefront of our armed forces, and I am proud that you've chosen to take a bigger, more dignified step, for yourselves, for us, and for the Armed Forces."

Minister Vengu also said, alongside his counterpart from Kosovo: "I can't help but feel more optimistic, because the future of our two countries lies in the shared foundation of the Alliance, even though we've never been separated spiritually or emotionally."

"The symbolic handing out of the berets today isn't the end of the mission for us, but the beginning of a new chapter to continue advancing and expanding such crucial missions for the security of Albania, Kosovo, and, ultimately, the entire Balkans. This ceremony strengthens not only the close cooperation between our two countries in military education but also boosts the exchange of experiences with Kosovo, which we have a double responsibility to help and support on its path to NATO membership, the largest security organization humanity has ever known." - he emphasized.

For his part, Kosovo's Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci, praised Minister Vengu for his approach to strengthening ties between the two countries, calling this period the high point of defense relations between Kosovo and Albania.

The cadets then demonstrated for the audience: target strikes, infiltration by air and land, shooting with obstacles, and hand-to-hand combat.
The 20th Basic Commando Course lasted 14 weeks and was split into three phases. Of the 38 cadets, only 24 made it to the finish line.