In early May, Albania’s Academy of Defence hosted a very successful four-day international seminar that included 34 reserve officer participants from nine NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.  The seminar was a joint effort between the National Association of Military in Reserve of Albania (NAMRA) and the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR). 

Officially titled the Young Reserve Officer Seminar, its primary purpose was to bring together officers from longstanding NATO nations with those from new and aspiring NATO nations.  In so doing, these "citizen soldiers" were provided a rare opportunity to compare notes on a wide range of national and international issues. 

The CIOR President, Canadian Captain (Navy) Carman McNary, was pleased with the outcome of the seminar and explained how the event prepared these young officers to work together in multinational environments.  “Activities like these allow specially selected officers to better understand the NATO Alliance and the valuable work it accomplishes,” said Capt(N) McNary.  “We expect many of the participants to deploy on international operations with NATO, and the training they undertook in Tirana will better prepare them for work outside their national environments.  This is critical to success,” he added.

The learning and exchange of ideas amongst reserve officers was certainly the key objective of the seminar.  However, NAMRA president Colonel Mhedi Pogaci saw other important benefits as well.  “This was an opportunity for Albania and its Ministry of Defence to raise Albania’s profile within the NATO alliance.  If we want to be a part of the Alliance, we must show that we are prepared and capable to take on leadership roles within it," he said. 

Reserve officers from Albania, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, FYROM*, Germany, Latvia, and the United Kingdom were represented at the seminar.  It was clear at the outset that a great deal of time and effort were spent planning the seminar at various levels within the ministry, NAMRA and the CIOR.  Throughout the week, the seminar hosted several ministry officials and community leaders. 

“These events are always an opportunity for our officials to project our national interests, but it also showcases our military skills and of course, the hospitality of the Albanian people," said Colonel Pogaci. 

The participation of countries like Albania as hosts to special CIOR events is part of what makes CIOR such a unique organization and is also critical to its long-term success. 

"The leadership and dedication of our Albanian colleagues in the CIOR is widely recognized and noted, both within CIOR itself and within military circles at NATO,” said Capt(N) McNary.  “This seminar has directly contributed to NATO’s goals by promoting and enhancing cooperation, partnership and inclusion amongst Reserve Forces within and beyond NATO," he added.

A similar Young Reserve Officers Workshop will be held in Riga, Latvia, during CIOR’s annual summer congress from 31 July to 5 August, 2007.

* Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia by its constitutional name