Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after 1990’s

Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after

1990’s”

Research Paper

PhD Candidate
Thimi Hudhra,

Tirana, February 2017

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Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after 1990’s

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 Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after 1990’s

Abstract. How has evolved the concept of security and defense of the Republic of
Albania and the role of the AAF after 1990s? What are the steps of evolution as a
partner and as an aspirant country of the Alliance? What quality steps followed the
concept of safety and security as a strategic ally in April 2009? Further, how is this
concept expected to evolve related to defence and security in our country?

What is the progress made, what are the difficulties faced, and what are the lessons
learned? What are the contributions of actors and factors of Albania and the society?
What is the vision of the development of the defence and security concept as a NATO
ally and EU potential candidate? What are the challenges of the vision of defence and
security concept by 2020?

Among others, these are some questions on the focus of this paper, where the authors
have been part of these processes in the past 20 years

Key words: evolution of security concept, cold war, new security environment,
professional force, total defence, national security, reserve forces, fortification, new
security challenges, NATO and EU integration, etc.

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Content

Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after 1990’s

- Short introduction

- RoA Security and Defense Concept – A concept under development

- Key Findings of the Comparative Study:

- The Way Ahead - The evolution of Strategic Concept

- A national and regional approach “Smart Defense”

- Bibliography:

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 Evolution of Albanian Security and Defense Concept after 1990’s

Short introduction

This article is focused on the evolution of the security and defence concept after the
1990s. It also gives a midterm perspective as a ‘food for thought’ till 2020. The
authors are primarily focused on the content issues than the description of simple
historical facts.

Dreams, ambitions and Albania's efforts to join the West after a break of over half a
century was expressed in the first months of the democratic government of 1992,
when Albania was among the first countries to apply for NATO membership. Then, in
February 1994, Albania signed the Partnership for Peace Framework Document. It
was later an aspirant country in April 1999 at the Washington Summit and become
an ally in April 2009 in Strasbourg & Kiehl's Summit.

It is necessary to explain the concept of the Alliance regarding the new members, as
well as the experience of the 10 last allied members. The NATO integration process
is divided into three main phases: the first phase is pre-invitation phase, the second
phase is the pre-accession phase and the third stage is integration phase. From April
1st 2009, we are finally at the stage of integration; so Albania is a member with full
rights in NATO.

By the membership in PfP Initiative in February 1994, our country formulated for
the first time in 1996 the Defense Policy Republic of Albania (RA) with specific
objectives in line with the Alliance. The period 1992-1996 was an intensive period of
the Partnership for Peace (PfP) process, the Planning and Review Process (PARP),
the Intensified Dialogue with the Alliance, and many other processes related to it.
Later, we also developed the first strategic documents: the National Security
Strategy and the Military Strategy. The latest version of the Military Strategy is the
2007 edition, and the National Security Strategy dates back to 2004.

While the period of 1997-1999 is an unpleasant period and the ups and downs in
the national security and defense, the years 2000-2012 expressed as qualitative
period of development in reforming the security sector and the defense of the
country. It expresses a period of progress of self-management capacity of the
reforms in these sectors and increase in the country's financial and economic
performance. In this period, we have three Strategic Defense Reviews accomplished
with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Euro-Atlantic Alliance, respectively in
2001, 2006 and 2012.

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Immediately after the invitation for membership in Bucharest in April 2008, Albania,
along with Croatia, held two rounds of intensive negotiations talks with the Alliance
on April 23rd and May 9th 2008, called the "Accession Talks" where issues of the roles
and commitments of our country for the status of a member country were discussed.
Also, in June a "Timetable for Completion of Reforms" was formulated by an inter-
ministerial group, and after being approved by the Inter-Ministerial Committee for
NATO Integration, it was submitted to NATO HQ in July 2008.

An important event was also the signature of the Accession Protocols by the
ambassadors of 26 countries of the Alliance on July 9 th 2008, which paved the way of
the ratification of Albania’s membership by the Parliaments of the Alliance in the
period up to February 2009. Also, in August 2008, Albania produced and submitted
to NATO authorities the two fundamental documents of the transition from aspirant
to allied member: the 10th and final "Membership Action Plan - MAP" and the
"Defense Planning Questionnaire - DPQ 2008 ", followed by "Force Goals Package -
FG 2008 Package ".

In addition to the development of the new concept of security policy and defense of
our country, Albania started to contribute in international operations led by NATO,
EU, UN, or "ad-hoc" coalitions since the early periods, with the slogan of a "de facto"
allied country. RoA and AAF contributions in international missions are a success
story and a medal of honor for AAF military personnel. We should keep in mind
that together with the transformation in a small professional force, Albania and AAF
have actively participated in dozens of national operations of civil emergencies, as
well as international operations under the concept of "a force both in
transformation and in operation". With the contributions offered so far in
international operations, we may say that Albania has completely changed from a
security consumer to a security provider.

RoA Security and Defense Concept – A concept under development

Albania of the 21st century and 100th anniversary of its independence is a "de jure"
member with full rights in the North Atlantic Alliance. It is also a potential EU
candidate country. The Lisbon Strategic Concept 2010 gives transformation
messages to all allied countries for the next 10 years. Likewise, these messages are
also provided by the EU Security Strategy. Authors believe that Albania is lucky to be
a member of the Alliance, and a potential candidate country of the EU, at a time
when these two organizations are in a period of transformation.

In the accession process and the current integration process, Albania continues to
have a wide support of more than 90% of the population, which is an unusual for

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several Allied countries. From a realistic view, it results that Armed Forces have been
in the front of national institutional efforts for membership in the Alliance.

It is also to be noted the unquestionable support of all political forces throughout

the process of accession in the Alliance. It is worth mentioning that the vote of legal
provisions, strategic documents and legal defense reform are supported by all
political forces. This unified position on the country's security and defense issues is
to be further appreciated, supported and cultivated.

In order to understand the evolution of the concept of security and defense of the
Republic of Albania in the last 20 years, we have conducted a comparative study of
the evolution of the security and defense concept from the Cold War before 1990s
up to 2012, highlighting 10 key findings:

Key Findings of the Comparative Study:

1. First, the shift from the concept of national security and defence based primarily
on state security to a “broader” concept of security and defence that integrates
social security and human security to state security, called a "Broad Concept of
Security." The biggest change of the security and defense concept of our
country’s is the shift from the concept of individual defense of the then
politicized Armed Forces of the “citizen soldiers” to the constitutional concept
with broad mission to “sovereignty, territorial integrity and national
independence; support to civil authorities and the Albanian people, and
contribution to peace and security in the region and beyond.”1

2. Second, there is the shift from the security and defense concept based on "our
own forces" to a security and defence concept based on collective security and
defense of NATO Alliance and EU ESDP. The Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty
binds allied countries to defend each other through collective defense
mechanism. This article imposes obligations and benefits to each allied country
on collective defense, including Albania. That is why all strategic and operational
defense planners of our Armed Forces need to know the mechanisms,
procedures and operating authorities of this 'musketeer' type article "one for all,
and all for one." What is the concept of development of the RoA Armed Forces as
an ally country after April 2009? The answer to this question is given in the first
paragraph of the new Strategic Concept 2010, which describes "... the next stage
of the evolution of NATO in order for it to remain effective in a changing world,
against new threats, with new capabilities, and new partners "2. The new concept
1
National Military Strategy, 2007 edition, Page 8
2
The Alliance's Strategic Concept, adopted by the Heads of State / Government in Lisbon, 20 November 2010.

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of security and defense of the country is undergoing significant improvements to

reflect the new reality of collective defense. In this context, in order for Albania to
enjoy all the benefits of collective defense planning system, its defence system
should be harmonized in time, processes, methodologies, documentation, capacity,
and final products with the Alliance's collective defense system 3. This is one of the
main challenges of the post-accession to the Alliance that can take us some more
years ahead.

3. Third, the transition from a national security and defense based on the
management of traditional, conventional, and symmetric risks and threats, to a
national security and defense also focused on non-traditional and asymmetric
risks of the 21st century. So, from a security and defense against enemies of state
blocks or states with opposite ideologies externally and internally, to a security
and defence against failed states, groups, non-state actors, or individuals with
different strategic goals. During the past 20 years, the range of risks and
traditional threats are significantly reduced, while the spectrum of non-
traditional threats, asymmetric, and of a hybrid nature are constantly increased,
and expected to recognize new developments throughout the 21 st century.
"Opponents of the Alliance today are smaller, more numerous, more sophisticated
and more difficult to identify or predict. They have the advantage to change
quickly and select the "weapon" to hit the weakest point of the allied countries by
means of asymmetric approaches"4.

4. Fourth, the transition from a security and defense concept based on “the defence
of every square meter of the national territory” according to the Military Art of
the People’s Army to a defense beyond national territories to destroy the
opponents before they comes to us. Here we can best illustrate the symbolic
expression of Secretary General of NATO, Sir Robertson, before the war in
Afghanistan: "If we do not go to Afghanistan today, Afghanistan will come to us
tomorrow"5. The overall contribution of Albania and AAF, to NATO, EU and UN led
military operations from 1996 and up to September 2012 amount to a total
of 6,000 soldiers. AAF participate currently in international operations with a
total of 230 military personnel in every 6 months. Current priority is the
international mission ISAF in Afghanistan with participation of 210 personnel;
combat mission, peace support or training and advisory mission. Also, a priority
remains the KFOR mission and NAT Kosovo team, and Althea mission in Bosnia
and Herzegovina. Also, for the first time Albania has implemented a concept of
3
Thimi Hudhra, Challenges of Integration in NATO ', edition of the Albanian Association of the North Atlantic, 2009,
page 43.
4
R. Gjatoja, Thimi Hudhra, article in Military Magazine, March 2011.
5
George Robertson, Afghanistan - NATO-s Nr 1 priority mission, Speech at NAC, June 2003.

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"comprehensive approach" to the stabilization and reconstruction operations,

deploying a modest number (5 people) in POMLT police force, expected to send
other 16 advisers for Afghan police force.

5. Fifth, the transition from a security and defense concept based primarily on
military force (or what is called Hard Power) on a security and defence concept
based primarily on diplomacy, international relations, namely Soft Power. This
took into account profound change during and after the Cold War between the
militarization and de-militarization of politics, economy, society, and state
security structures, etc. In this context, we have experienced deep changes in
fortification issues of the country and its economy, the elimination of structures,
equipment and infrastructure legacy of the Cold War, which have given for a long
time a negative impact to the defense budgets. From approximately 1000
military infrastructure/ facilities in 1990, our country has now less than 90 (i.e.
10 times less), leaving the rest to the priorities of government programs. A major
achievement during the period of reforms was the elimination of several tank
units (800 tanks) and heavy artillery (1000 artillery pieces), and the de-
activation of fixed wing aircraft and warships of the fleet, missile systems, etc.,
which ended their mission in terms of their scope and time of service.

6. Sixth, the transition from a framework of little or no changes in policies,

strategies, doctrines, and plans, to more flexible and pragmatic policies,
strategies, doctrines and plans. We are currently in the era of the new Strategic
Concept 2010, adopted in Lisbon in November 2010, which expresses a colorful
dynamism in meeting the three-group core tasks of the Alliance until 2020, 1)
Collective Protection, 2) Crisis Management, and 3) Cooperation on Security. 6

7. Seventh, switching from a very high level of defence expenditures of the country
of 12 - 23% of the GDP of the country (excluding foreign aid), to a moderate 1,5 -
2% of GDP. The defense budget during the Cold War was a tremendous burden
for the Albanian state, which was "forced" to compensate for the shortcomings of
numerical military capabilities, expense for the fortification of the country, for
the militarization of the economy, for the support of the massive reserve force,
etc. This concept was reflected in the concept of ‘Free Military Schools’ and ‘all
citizens soldier’ policy.

8. Eighth, the transition from a militarized defence based on conscript/

compulsory military service of a wide-popular army, to a professional armed
forces, a quality, modern and motivated armed force based on constitutional

6
The Alliance's Strategic Concept, November 2010.

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missions. From an armed force of about 22 infantry divisions, several naval

districts, and some air flotilla, totalling 100,000 active soldiers and nearly half a
million reserve force, and youth volunteer armed forces, into a professional force
of about 11,000 people, considering that every military surplus capability is a
burden to the society and economy. Within the context of qualitative changes of
the strategic concept, old capabilities are "abandoned" and new capabilities are
developed, based on a realistic assessment of the security environment.

9. Ninth, switching from a politicized military force by the party-state system in

command, to a de-politicized and professional force policy, neutral and with a
civilian control over the security and defense forces based on mission and
constitutional law. In a multi-party democratic system, the armed forces are
subject to unquestionable civilian control of the authorities and institutions,
provided by law and constitution. De-politicization makes them devoted to the
Fatherland, Honor and Duty. Any attempt of politicization of AAF will
significantly damage the military professionalism and the accomplishment of its
mission.

10.Tenth, the transition from an isolated state and armed forces supposed to fight
simultaneously against all alliances and external enemies, to a cooperation
security force with all its neighbours in the region and globally. This helps the
transition to new trends on the concept of common security and defense or
"shared security" with allied and partners, to the recently discussed concept of a
regional "Smart Defense". In addition to the benefits of collective defense and
military obligations to the membership in NATO, our country will benefit and
also contribute to the EU or other security organizations. So, the strategic
concept of national security and defense, along with significant benefits,
considers the development of national capabilities in the interest of international
operations under the concept of "a single set of forces" as the most rational
solution for a small country like Albania.

The Way Ahead - The evolution of Strategic Concept

As treated above, we understand that from April 2009, the defense and security of
the country has undergone a qualitative transformation. After a period of nearly 20
years, Albania fulfilled one of the strategic objectives to be part of Euro-Atlantic
security structures.

This qualitative change in our country's defense policy is followed by the cultivation
of knowledge, deep expertise, broader engagement and greater professionalism.
Alliance is a giant mechanism of collective security and defense, with a history of

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over 60 years, with known and unknown labyrinths, under a continuous

transformation, with endless unclassified and classified information. Our experts
should analyze in-depth strategic the level of quality security environment to
determine policies and positions articulated where in our positions are formulated
countless issues of participation in collective defense.

In the authors' view, there is a significant difference between the notion of

membership and integration. While the "de jure" membership is related to a
country's accession day in Alliance, the "de facto" integration is a longer process that
relates to the achievement of a sustainable political, economic, financial and military
capacities of an allied country to normally manage both benefits and contributions
of security and collective defense, which is not necessarily achieved on the first day
of accession in the Alliance. Theory and practice to date for the 10 new member
states after 1999 has shown that full integration has extended and continues to
extend from 5 to 10 years from the date of their membership. This "transition from
membership 'de jure' to integration 'de facto '" is supported by the several Integration
Conferences conducted by the two Allied Strategic Commands with our country.

As mentioned above, basic security and defense reforms require also changes in the
legal framework in line with the new situation of integration. Efforts have begun and
we will soon have a National Security Strategy as an Allied country, a Military
Strategy, an AAF Joint Doctrine, an Implementation Plan in accordance with the
findings of the Strategic Defense Review 2012, an Integrated Law of the Armed
Forces integrating the Law on Strategic Command and Control Authorities of AAF,
The Law of AAF Military Personnel Status, the Law of Ranks and Career in AAF, and
other laws, etc. The specific issue of these strategic doctrinarian documents is that
they are developed in parallel, with participation of civil-military teams at the
strategic, operational and tactical level.

The Strategic Defense Review, a capability-based defense planning, being carried out
in the Ministry of Defense with the participation of 10 other institutions of the
security sector is expected to be another success story in the field of AAF reforms in
the long term. A Long-Term AAF Development Plan 2020, (LTDP-2020) along with
strategic and operational plans for the employment of the AAF units, based on a set
of 13 new planning scenarios, to be conducted by AAF on its own or together with
allies, are already completed.

These strategic plans will lead to a transformation of the strategic concept of

security and defense of our country during the 21 st century. This conceptual
transformation will provide basic foundations for a reform of training and education
institutions, the Creval, Taceval and AAF Mareval evaluations; the future force
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capabilities and national and international operations; the doctrinal framework and
standardization; the readiness system, the missions and essential task list, the
concept development of a voluntary reserve component, the motivation of civil and
military personnel, etc.

The evolution of security and defence concept of our country in the past 20 years is
a little explored research area. Despite the informative nature writings, little has
been written in the field of fundamental change of the country's strategic defense
concept. There are still hundreds of questions that require answers.

The authors argue that this retrospective analysis of cognitive, comparative and
analytic values can serve the formulation of future positions for a normal
accommodation of our country and the Armed Forces in collective security and
defense structures. Our experience over 15 years of NATO integration may also serve
to Kosovo Security Force and other partner countries and our regional aspirant
countries. They are welcome to learn from both achievements and mistakes.

Our recommendation is that the evolution of the security and defense concept in the
last 20 years is an area in the framework of Master and PhD programs of the
Academy of Defense, the National Security and Defense Center, and the Doctrine
Centre, etc.

Also, the new packet of "Force Goals - Capability Targets" of RoA Blue Book will form
the backbone of the defense reform for the next 10 years, absorbing a significant
portion of AAF resources for this period. It consists of Objective Force / Capacities
for all components, land, air and sea, but also for other security institutions.
Through the CT Package, all Allied countries, including our country, are required to
develop 10% of land component deployable outside the territories of the Alliance
and its 50% ready for potential rotations.

A national and regional approach “Smart Defense”

Based on Lisbon Strategic Concept 2010 and messages of Chicago Summit in May
2012, reforms are being conducted in the alliance, which are also generating reform
in all allied countries. Major reforms are expected to be oriented for development of
more capabilities with less resources, under the "Smart Defense"7 approach
according to the concept of the Secretary Rasmussen "... to burn fat and build muscles
..." 8, which means elimination of parallel structures, duplicated, excess or
unnecessary capabilities.
7
Munich Security Conference 2011, Secretary Rasmussen speech.
8
Speech at the Center for Security Policy Brussels, 2011.

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We all know now that defence and security of individual countries in our region is
not an isolated issue of each of the countries in the region. We have common
challenges, risks and threats, at regional and international levels which require the
use of regional solutions through the approach of "pooling and sharing". As small
countries of a small region, we should be pragmatic and non-conformist when
building defence capabilities. It is necessary to develop a new vision, articulate a
new mentality, opening new windows of cooperation. Capacities that we can not
afford at the national level can be developed together in bilateral, multilateral and
regional levels. A good example to follow is the successful approach of Baltic
countries.

These were some of the key messages of the evolution of the security and defense
concept of the country and the role of the AAF after 1990s and some
recommendations ahead.

Bibliography:
- The Alliance's Strategic Concept, adopted by the Heads of State of the Alliance, Lisbon,
20 November 2010.
- National Security Strategy of the Republic of Albania, 2005 Edition
- Military Strategy of the Republic of Albania, 2007 edition
- Munich Security Conference 2011, Secretary Rasmussen speech
- 'Challenges of NATO Integration', Th.Hudhra, publication of the Albanian Atlantic
Association, 2009
 R. Gjatoja, Th.Hudhra, Military Magazine, March 2011

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