By Abdul Karimkhanov
Copyright trend
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 16. With an
official ceremony featuring military honors, the Minister of
Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria, Atanas Zapryanov, was solemnly
welcomed by his Albanian counterpart, Piro Vëngu, in front of the
Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Trend reports.
The two-day working visit of Minister Atanas Zapryanov to Tirana
is taking place in the context of a significant political event in
Albania – this is the first official visit by a foreign state
representative following the announcement of the new composition of
the Albanian government, in which Minister Piro Vëngu begins his
second term as Minister of Defense. This act emphasizes the
strategic importance of relations between Bulgaria and Albania and
their role in ensuring stability in the region.
During the talks, the two ministers highlighted the strategic
significance of Pan-European Corridor No. 8, cooperation within
NATO, the security of the Alliance’s eastern and southeastern
flanks, as well as opportunities for joint initiatives in the
defense industry. They also discussed the current regional
situation, hybrid threats, and the need for enhanced resilience and
collective defense.
As part of his visit to Albania, Minister Atanas Zapryanov
delivered a lecture to cadets at the Academy of the Albanian Armed
Forces. In his address, he presented the priorities of Bulgaria’s
defense policy, emphasizing Bulgaria’s role as an active and
reliable NATO ally, the need to adapt to new threats – including in
cyberspace – as well as efforts to modernize and strengthen the
country’s defense capacity. Minister Atanas Zapryanov underlined
the importance of education and professional training for future
officers in the context of the new security environment.
Later today, Minister Atanas Zapryanov will take part in the
ceremonial opening of the new academic year at the “Hristo Botev”
Sunday School in Tirana, which will for the first time operate
under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in
Albania. The event will be held at the embassy premises in the
presence of representatives of the Bulgarian community, students,
teachers, and parents.
The opening symbolically coincides with September 15 – the first
school day in Bulgaria – which adds additional value and national
significance to this cultural and educational initiative. The
Sunday school will serve not only as an educational institution but
also as an important center for preserving the language, history,
and national identity of the Bulgarian community in Albania.
