THE NATO PfP CELL

NATO opened a Partnership for Peace (PfP) Cell to the Albanian Ministry of Defence on 01 June 1998, 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 1998 co-operation programme included the specialist advisory visits covering the following areas to assist the Albanian authorities:

• Communications.
• Border Control .
• Crisis Management.
• Restructuring of the Armed Forces.
• NATO ASDIT.
• Refugee Matter.
• Joint Albanian/NATO Exercise in August 1998.

National assistance programmes, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and equipment, are essential to the rebuilding and restructuring of Albania's armed forces. A priority of the NATO PfP Cell is the effective coordination of NATO and national training and assistance programmes.

PfP in Albania has proved itself to be an effective vehicle for focused and specialist assistance to a partner nation. The operational capabilities of PfP have been put to the test and emerged with flying colours. In rising to this challenge, PfP has reinforced its position as a permanent feature of the new European security architecture.