The Albanian Armed Forces’ Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit showed off U.S. donated equipment on May 22, 2021, at a military-sponsored open house in Vlore, Albania, held as part of Defender-Europe 21 activities.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the Kosovo conflict in 1998-1999 left significant landmine contamination along Albania’s border with Kosovo. The country also has also shown UXO contamination from hotspots including former military impact ranges and exploded depots from periods of civil unrest. Since 2000, the United States has provided more than $47.2 million for Conventional Weapons Destruction efforts in Albania.
Working with The Department of Defense, Albanian Armed Forces have used their training and equipment to assist other countries in the region, as well.
Albania not only has deployed EOD teams in support of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence multinational battle group in Latvia but has provided crucial assistance in the Republic of Mali after the recent armed conflict left the country with weapons and explosives contamination which threatened the safety of civilians and impeded stabilization efforts there. Following a request from the Government of Mali, and within the framework of the European Union, Albania deployed an EOD contingent to Mali to provide EOD Level 1 training to the Malian Defense Forces so that they could provide peace and security to the people there. Since 1999, the United States has provided more than $14 million to build health, education, and disaster preparedness capacities in Albania.