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Shkruar nga Artur Meçollari
Rama urgently announced changes to the Government on February 25, 2026, which included the removal of Vëng from the Defense...
Vëng's departure from the Government avoided a diplomatic scandal with the US. The French journalist from "Le Point" asks Rama a direct question. Her essence is whether the Albanian Government has betrayed the Americans for the French in the field of security? And she mentions the French company "Thales" and the American company "Lockheed Martin".
Rama could not even mention the name of the American company Lockheed Martin (LM), which Pirro Vëngu completely excluded from the FA. The Integrated Maritime Space Surveillance System (SIVHD) was built by LM in 2010, but has not been maintained since 2021. The static air radar of Mjeda was built by LM in 2020 and has not been maintained since 2021. Albania was supposed to buy two mobile radars from LM, integrable with those of Mjeda. But Vengu signed a contract with the French company Thales. The integration of the three radars remains a problem in itself.
But there is more.
Rama urgently announced changes to the Government on February 25, 2026, which included the dismissal of Vëng from the Defense Ministry. His dismissal had nothing to do with Balluk's dismissal. Vëng had planned to visit the US on March 2, 2026, accompanied by 7 people, including a deputy minister and three generals. Tickets had also been booked. It seems that the possibility of the visit failing and some other issues related to Albania's military representation in the US forced Rama to avoid the scandal of Vëng's dismissal.
At a ceremony at the Ground Forces on February 26, 2026, US Charge d'Affaires VanHorn would state that "we are pleased with the cooperation with Minister Vëngu in recent months," while he had held this position for 18 months.
Excerpt from the "Le Point" interview:
Journalist: In June 2025, on the occasion of the Bourget aviation fair, you purchased a French radar system manufactured by Thales, GM400 Alpha, which has not yet been delivered to you. For Albania's strategic security, do you reject American exclusivity, given that you were previously supplied by Lockheed Martin?
Rama; We have the obligation to follow the great countries. When you are the prime minister of Albania, you have the privilege of meeting all the greats of the world, but not the weight to decide the fate of the world… They decide, and you follow them. If they are right and there is success, you can say: “I am part of this”. But if they make a mistake and do something wrong, then you can say that it is their fault!
Dhe piktori nuk e dinte qe ministri po ja jepte tenderin Francezve!!! Hahahahahahahah .
Ramut grekoshkjau. U ka hyp shqiptarëve e po i çon ne gremine.
Ik e Kosovar, mos u fur ne punet e shqiperise. Nuk duam te themi qe 70% te tregtise e keni me serbine te ciles mallrat ja sillni edhe ne Shqiperi. NUk jeni kurkund, nje vrime pa identitet ne ballkan!