Mattis Reaffirms U.S. Albanian Defense Relationship

You are subscribed to News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Mattis Reaffirms U.S. Albanian Defense Relationship 04/17/2018 04:07 PM CDT Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, right, meets with Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka at the Pentagon, April 17, 2018. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, April 17, 2018 — Defense Secretary James N. Mattis welcomed Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka to the Pentagon today to reaffirm the strong defense relationship between the United States and Albania, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said. Significant Contributions In a statement summarizing the meeting between the two defense leaders, White said Mattis praised the significant contributions Albania has made to global and coalition operations, including nearly 300 personnel serving in four major NATO operations. “He thanked Minister Xhacka for Albania’s strong leadership in the Western Balkans,” White said, “and for its efforts to counter Russian malign influence in the region.” Mattis praised Albania’s recent increase in defense spending and its plan to meet the pledge alliance nations made at NATO’s 2014 summit in Wales to spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024. Related Biographies James N. Mattis James N. Mattis became the 26th Secretary of Defense on January 20, 2017.A native of Richland,