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Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said his country's relations with Türkiye are based on ties between the Albanian and Turkish peoples rather than religion, praising Ankara's contributions to Albania's military training and assistance during times of crisis.
Speaking in an interview on Radar.al's Hard Talk podcast, aired Sunday, Nufi discussed Albania's relations with Türkiye, including historical connections, military cooperation and Turkish assistance following natural disasters.
Asked whether Albania's relationship with Türkiye was based on shared religious identity or relations between the two peoples, Nufi said the countries maintained ties as Albanians and Turks.
He described associating religion with Albania's relationship with Türkiye as "a cultural, human, ideological mistake," saying such an interpretation did not reflect his country's position.
Nufi noted that Albania, Kosovo and Türkiye have Muslim populations, while Türkiye is also home to Christian communities, including Orthodox Christians and Catholics.
He said the relationship was cultural, pointing to historical connections between the two peoples.
Discussing their shared Ottoman past, Nufi acknowledged the negative aspects of that period while saying Albanians had preserved positive elements, including close relations, friendship and mutual assistance with the Turkish people.
He also recalled his recent meeting in Ankara with Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, during which the two discussed similarities between traditional cuisine in central Albania and that of former Ottoman provinces.
Nufi highlighted Türkiye's contribution to Albania's armed forces, saying some of the country's best military officers had received their education at Turkish military institutions.
He said he had witnessed the benefits of bilateral cooperation within Albania's armed forces, citing the quality of officers trained in Türkiye.
Beyond military cooperation, Nufi pointed to Turkish medical assistance, the hospital built in Fier, reconstruction assistance following Albania's earthquake and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also said he had always been received with the highest respect during visits to Ankara and extended the same treatment to Turkish officials visiting Albania.
The remarks follow Nufi's official visit to Ankara on Oct. 8, when he met Guler to discuss bilateral defense and security cooperation.
According to Albania's Defense Ministry, the two ministers discussed expanding cooperation with Turkish defense companies through investments and joint ventures, as well as potential technology transfers to strengthen Albania's domestic defense capabilities.
The ministry said Albanian cadets, officers and noncommissioned officers had attended military academies and training programs in Türkiye for more than two decades.
Nufi also expressed appreciation for Türkiye's contribution to NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) and its support for the Albanian contingent serving in the European Union's EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to the ministry.
During the interview, Nufi also addressed security concerns in Kosovo, saying Albania remained fully committed to its defense.
He said no government in Tirana could remain in power without giving its full support to Kosovo's defense.
Asked about the possibility of another attack on Kosovo, Nufi said the situation had changed significantly since 1999, citing Kosovo's institutions and international partnerships.
The minister also rejected allegations of arms trafficking involving Albania's defense industry, saying the country was not currently producing ammunition and that production lines ordered in 2025 had not yet begun operating.
He characterized the allegations as a "trafficking of words," accusing critics of taking statements out of context.
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Nufi separately criticized the opposition Democratic Party's decision to challenge Albania's defense agreement with the United States before the Constitutional Court, describing the move as a political, strategic and national mistake.
He said national defense and security should not be subjects of partisan disputes.
On European security, Nufi warned of the possibility of a wider conflict stemming from Russia's war against Ukraine, while expressing confidence in NATO's defense commitments.
He also acknowledged Albania's need for additional military equipment, personnel and defense capabilities, emphasizing the importance of developing domestic defense production.
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