The newly revamped tactical air base of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was inaugurated today in the town of Kuçova, with the upgrades including modernization of infrastructure to host Albania’s helicopter and combat drones and the NATO aircraft, transforming it into a modern hub capable of hosting various fighter jets and serving as a centre to take training of the Albanian pilots to a new level, also giving Albania renewed geostrategic importance.
As the largest NATO air base in the region, this crucial infrastructure not only raises Albania’s profile on the international stage, but also strengthens the country’s commitment to peace and security in the region, becoming a valuable asset to the Alliance.
Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the inauguration ceremony of the air base along with the country’s top political leaders, senior military officials from the NATO partner countries, military attachés accredited in our country etc.
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Looking at some of the attendees who are here as representatives of another generation that experienced all the developments before the democratic changes, I am quoting a fragment of the ‘Zëri i Popullit’ newspaper in May 1954 when the leader of the Soviet Union came to Albania and the newspaper wrote that ‘the dead were jumping for joy and that May the flowers had bloomed earlier precisely to welcome Comrade Khrushchev.
This is an important extract because back then, Albania, with this base that we are reopening today, was considered a strategic outpost of the Soviet Empire facing Western Europe, and here in Kuçova a considerable number of bombers were stationed.
If you were to read the declassified war plan that was in the Kremlin drawers, the war would start with the bombing of Vienna, Stuttgart, Munich, Nuremberg, 2 NATO bases in Denmark, 3 Italian bases in Verona, Padua and Vicenza and part of this operation would be the bomber planes stationed in the Kuçova base.
Today we live in a different era and fortunately Albania is on the other side, welcoming with pride and respect its allies and partners in an alliance, which is first and foremost an alliance of values in defense of peace and democracy.
I am particularly happy today that a work launch a long time ago was completed and many friends, partners and allies are here with us today. I would like to particularly thank the Minister of Defense of Italy who has also brought several fighter planes along with him and, on the other hand, I would also like to thank the precious Turkish friends and allies, who for almost 3 decades kept alive the spirit of this base, which today is completely transformed and ready as a new NATO tactical base, which traverses the borders of Albania. A new base that adds another element of security for our Western Balkans region, which we all know is endangered from the threat and neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation
Revitalization of this military airbase is also part of rejuvenation and quality upgrade of our air force fleet. Two new Black Hawk helicopters and Three Bayraktar TB2 drones are part of this ongoing growth.
On the other hand, last but not least, I would also like to thank all local residents in Kuçova, Tapi, Dimal, Berat and a broader area for the patience they have shown during the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in this base. I very much hope that the tactical base will also create fresh employment opportunities and more opportunities for the whole service chain to help the local economy.
Last but not least, I want to express a special thanks to all those who contributed starting, of course from our NATO allies, hoping and being confident that in the coming years this new NATO tactical air base will be followed by the new NATO naval base in Porto Romano, on which we are already working closely with NATO and we are very confident that we will be able to announce the news of the inclusion of this project in Alliance plans soon.
I would like to extend my special thanks and best wishes for health and everything their hearts hold dear to all our Armed Forces, the troops and individuals who serve in the army and who are increasingly making Albania prouder of them and are one more reason that we feel prouder of Albania.
Thank you!