The US Special Operations Command for Europe, SOCEUR, announced yesterday the decision to have a headquarters of the Special Operations Forces base in Albania, according to reports.
According to the announcement, “the location of the headquarters in Albania will provide greater interoperability with Albanian allies, significant access to transport hubs in the Balkans and greater logistical flexibility. "This location greatly reduces travel time and increases the flexibility of special operations and conventional forces in the region," the US Command said in a statement, adding that Albania remains a strong NATO ally and the US enjoys a strong relationship with the government and the Ministry of Defense of Albania, which makes the establishment of a vanguard headquarters in this allied country a natural decision.”
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| Albanian and American soldiers training at base in Albania |
As Major General David H. Tabor, Commander of the Special Operations Command in Europe points out, "the ability to move and train rapidly within the Balkans, in close cooperation with other Allied and Partner forces, made Albania the best location for this effort."
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the decision, calling it "an expression of a very high level of credibility and a very close cooperation."
SOCEUR, the statement notes, “plays an important role in demonstrating US commitment to our allies and partners in the Balkans. "Through ongoing training and close cooperation, the US Special Operations Forces provide an important link between our allies and partners in the region, thus enhancing regional stability."
SOCEUR has a unique position to stimulate US relations with allies and partners, to counteract malicious influences, to build interoperability, to respond quickly to threats that may arise, and, if necessary, to respond the attacks.