Key facts
- Albania's hosting of the 2027 NATO summit is uncertain due to defense spending concerns.
- A draft NATO summit declaration omits mention of Albania as the next host.
- The US has criticized allies for 'free riding' on defense spending.
- Albania aims to reach 2.6% of GDP in defense spending by 2026.
- NATO countries previously pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
Albania's position as the proposed host for the 2027 NATO summit is in jeopardy due to concerns over its defense spending and reluctance from the United States. A draft declaration for the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara omits any mention of Albania as the next host, a move seen as pressure from NATO officials to increase spending.
NATO countries agreed to a new defense spending target of 5% of GDP by 2035, but Albania's current spending of around 1.49% is significantly below even the previous 2% goal. The US has been vocal in condemning allies perceived as 'free riders' on defense, urging a credible path toward the new spending targets.
While Albania has stated it is finalizing fiscal measures to reach a projected 2.6% of GDP in defense spending by 2026, some officials remain optimistic that the country can still host the summit if it demonstrates sufficient progress. The final decision on the summit's location will be made during negotiations for the upcoming summit's declaration.