An air base built during Soviet times in Albania in a town then called “Stalin” was restored and became a NATO base from Monday. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also condemned the “neo-imperialist ambitions” of Russia, EFE reports. and Reuters agencies., quoted by Agerpers.
NATO has spent more than 50 million euros to renovate the air base, located about 70 kilometers from the capital Tirana, in the area of the city of Kučova, which was once called “Stalin’s city” when Soviet and Chinese MiGs were ready there. for actions in case of war with the West.
“Today we live in a different era and fortunately Albania is in a different camp,” Albanian Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama said at a ceremony to reopen the base, which was built in 1950 and then closed in 1990 year after the fall of dictator Enver Hoxha’s power.
Albania officially joined NATO in 2009.
“The restoration of the base is a big step for our country, for the army and for NATO, as well as for the local population. The importance of the Kuchov base goes beyond the borders of the Balkan region,” the prime minister added.
“This is a base that [va adăuga] another element of security for our region of the Western Balkans, which, as we all know, is under threat due to the threat of the neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation,” Edi Rama emphasized.
Albania may also host a NATO naval base
After the start of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, “allies must be ready for any circumstances,” said Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi.
The Kučova base restoration ceremony, which was marked by the landing of two NATO aircraft from the Aviano base in Italy, was also attended by the defense ministers of Italy, North Macedonia and Kosovo, as well as representatives of NATO and the US Embassy in Tirana.
Albania is also currently discussing with NATO the creation of the Alliance’s naval base in the port of Romano on the Adriatic coast.
After Russia went to war in Ukraine, tiny Albania was among Kyiv’s most vocal supporters, renaming the street on which the Russian embassy in Tirana is located “Free Ukraine” from the first days of the invasion.
Source: Hot News
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