Parliamentary Security Committee approves defense 2018 draft budget

The Parliamentary Security Committee has approved only with the votes of the left-wing majority the draft budget of the Ministry of Defense for 2018.

The draft was presented to the Committee by Minister Olta Xhaçka, who stated that the budget for 2018 is ALL 13.4 billion, about EUR 100 million higher than the current year.

About 22m euros will be used for the Albanian airspace control system, while other important items are observation of the marine space, purchase of new equipment and weapons, training of the armed forces, and the financial treatment of the military in reserve.

Asked by the MPs about the situation of the dismantling of armaments in the territory, Xhacka explained that this process has been completed.

The ministër explained that opportunities for revitalizing enterprises that have engaged in the dismantling process in the past are being studied.

Xhacka said that the proposal of a foreign company for converting Mjeks Plant to an arms production facility is currently under consideration, and it is thought that about 150 people will be employed in that case.

As a NATO country, Albania is committed to gradually increase the defense budget, which is projected to grow to 2% of GDP in 2024, something that is an obligation of every NATO member country.

SCAN

*Material i përgatitur nga portali SCAN. Ripublikimi mund të bëhet vetëm kundrejt citimit të autorësisë dhe burimit origjinal.