TIRANA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A joint military exercise took place Sunday between Albanian patrol boat Lissus and ships of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 in Vlora, Southern Albania.
Such drills are carried out in framework of Albania's cooperation with NATO allies, as sources from defense ministry said.
Meanwhile, Albanian Minister of Defense Olta Xhacka confirmed a day ago that Albania would extend its first-ever maritime mission with NATO as part of the international efforts to stop illegal trafficking and migration in the Aegean Sea for another year.
Xhacka said in a press statement that mission's extension was decided following the very positive results and performance of the crew of Albanian Oriku patrol boat over the past year.
Oriku boat has been deployed to Aegean Sea part of a NATO's reconnaissance and search-and-rescue missions.
She further noted that by the end of November, a second ship of the Albanian Fleet would replace Orik.
