Denmark And Albania: Promoting A European Security Strategy

Nga Peter TASE

To understand the rapidly evolving political – military maneuvers in Europe is important considering the old continent’s deeply rooted geopolitical challenges moving forward. Historically, Europe has been marked by wars, abrupt shifting alliances, and territorial disputes, Ukraine is the prime example of such a perilous trajectory, becoming Moscow meat grinder since February 2022.  In the interest of regional security, the Government of Prime Minister Edi Rama has hard-headedly pursued extensive political and economic cooperation with Denmark; a country in the Nordic region with a GDP of US$ 410 Billion (2024) and a population of over 5.9 million people.
The Albanian head of government is deeply aware of the upcoming challenges that may stem in the decades ahead across Southeast Europe and, unlike his predecessor, Mr. Rama is preparing his nation to safely curb any geopolitical headwinds that may increase regional hostile behavior and war propensity in the future.  Six independent countries in the Balkans are deeply vulnerable to outside actors and the region’s largest republic is gradually unpredictable.   
Russia’s information warfare and covert intelligence operations in Eastern Europe are seriously tilting the balance of power from Sarajevo to Skopje. Many distinguished European experts on Moscow’s geostrategic shifts, among them Dr. Sadri Murat Ramabaja, have expressed a growing concern pertaining to Kremlin’s unbridled intelligence operations designed to destabilize Southeast Europe and the Intermarium.  
On March 6th, 2023, Prime Minister Edi Rama hosted the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, becoming the first Danish prime minister to visit Albania.  Mr. Rama’s vision for a stable and prosperous region is easily discernible in the horizon.
Albania and Denmark have a history of excellent diplomatic ties. Denmark has been present in the entire process of strengthening Albania’s democratic institutions. Denmark is a strong supporter of Albania and its dynamic integration process in the European Union.
In November 2019 Denmark provided a 2-million-euro recovery package to Albania; donated 30 ventilators to Tirana’s public health system and approximately 250.000 COVID-19 vaccines.  In retrospect, Dr. Paskal Milo’s visit to Denmark, elevated the bilateral partnership into the zenith of Albania’s diplomatic triumphs during the 1990s.  On November 30 – December 1, 1998, in his role as Albania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Paskal Milo paid an official visit to Denmark. On this occasion minister Milo and Niels Lolk Helveg Petersen, the legendary Danish Diplomacy Chief (1993-2000); agreed to strengthen the bilateral high-level political dialogue and Denmark provided an aid package of over USD 16 million for the period of 1999-2001. 
Albania’s National Security Strategy and Foreign Policy need a facelift, in this context Tirana has recently shaped a solid partnership with Denmark.  Considering PM Frederiksen’s historic visit, the incumbent Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Igli Hasani should invest more time and efforts to prioritize the bilateral cooperation with Copenhagen and pursue a greater diplomatic engagement with the Nordic partners.  Danish Defense Technology and aerospace Companies are highly acclaimed on the world stage.  Tirana urgently needs a trustworthy international partner, to develop its military technology, hardware and arsenal; certainly its Danish allies can comfortably provide cutting-edge expertise, counsel and accomplish any given task.
The Danish defense and military technology companies are the top of the line qualifying them to become a precious asset for Tirana and its economic, geostrategic endeavor. 
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Peter Tase is a freelance writer and journalist of International Relations, Latin American and Southern Caucasus current affairs. He is the author of America’s first book published on the historical and archeological treasures of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan (Republic of Azerbaijan); has authored and published four books on the Foreign Policy and current economic – political events of the Government of Azerbaijan. Tase has written about International Relations for Eurasia Review Journal since June 2012.