Interview / The Minister of Defence: We requested a reduction in commands Kodheli: A small, efficient force Interview / The Minister of Defence: We requested a reduction in commands 700 soldiers are leaving Kodheli: A small, efficient force From 9,200 personnel, by the end of the year there will be 8,500 left. Turkey donates 1.1 million USD for military equipment, condition of the agreement: Buy from us By ENI VASILI The Minister of Defence, Mimi Kodheli, said during an interview on the program “Studio e Hapur”, with journalist Eni Vasili on NEWS, that the main objective of the ministry she leads is the professional and technological modernization of the Armed Forces. According to her, the Armed Forces have received a transformation certificate. Meanwhile, during this interview Kodheli spoke about a reform that will bring the army down to 8,500 people, from the 9,200 currently in place. She spoke about a deliberate obstruction by the President of the Republic in the work of the Armed Forces. Albania, a NATO member state, talks about reform; why are we still not at the proper standards? Allow me to tell you that even in 2009, NATO was aware that Albania did not have the standards you are talking about. But this is a process of growing professionalism, still in the transformation phase. The Armed Forces have received a transformation certificate. ... Continued on page 8