2 June 1999

Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Ammunition Storage Training Team NATO opened a Partnership for Peace (PfP) Cell to the Albanian Ministry of Defence on 01 June 1998 under the auspices of the Political Military Steering Committee, in accordance with an agreement between the North Atlantic Council and the Albanian Government. The PfP Cell plays a direct role in the overall coordination and effective implementation of Albania's specially tailored Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) within PfP for 1999.The opening of this office signalled the Alliance's interest in developing closer relations with the Albanian authorities in the implementation of PfP activities. It is the first of its kind and represents NATO's commitment to carry out the special IPP within the unique circumstances found in Albania. The operational deployment of an Ammunition Storage and Disposal Implementation Team (ASDIT) was the first of its kind within the PfP programme and represents NATO's commitment to carry out a special IPP within Albania. It follows on from a series of Fact Finding Team visits to Albania from August 1997 to July 1998. The success of the NATO ASDIT mission led to the deployment of a follow on Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Ammunition Support Training Team (EODASTT), which was initially deployed in Albania from 09 January and will remain until 05 May 1999. The aim of this team is to provide expert advice and assistance to the Albanian MOD in order that the Albanian Army can start the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance of the contaminated areas themselves early in 1999. The team is also advising the Albanian MOD on the rationalisation of ammunition storage and the establishment of safe storage conditions. NATO EOD and Technical Ammunition Support to Albania Web Module created by the Ammunition Storage and Disposal Implementation Team (ASDIT)