NATO’s Kucova airbase in Albania was officially opened on Monday in the presence of key government officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, who called it an important security element for the Western Balkans and the entire region.
The airbase in the southeast of the country was used by the Soviet Union during communist rule and the nearby town of Kucova was known as Stalin’s town. The reconstruction of the site, abandoned for many years, began in 2022 and required an investment of 50 million euros from NATO and 5 million euros from the Albanian government.
David Wisner, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Tirana, spoke at the event, thanking Albania for its co-operation with NATO and its role in maintaining security in the region.
“NATO stands as the most stable alliance in history. Today, despite the challenges, NATO is stronger and has grown as a symbol of our commitment. I congratulate Albania’s desire to expand cooperation with NATO. Albania is appreciated for its contribution to supporting stability in the Western Balkans.”
Defence Minister Niko Peleshi explained that the base would serve as a tactical and operational base and would be a strategic point for peace missions, but could even face natural disasters. He said:
“The last MIG flew about 19 years ago. The time has come for Kucovo to hear the echo of NATO planes, the defenders of our skies, in the most threatened decade of the region and Europe…The help that Albania can give to neighbouring countries makes us feel more committed than ever before.”
He noted that Albania will continue with plans to turn the port of Porto Romano on the Adriatic coast into a NATO naval base.
President Bajram Begaj also spoke at the ceremony, saying that the base is being opened at a crucial moment when the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area is under threat. He added that NATO’s investment also demonstrates Albania’s strategic importance to the Alliance.
NATO was represented by Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez de Lara, commander of the Joint Air Operations Centre at Torrejon Air Base in Spain. After the speeches at the ceremony, two US F-16 and two F-35 fighter jets from Aviano Air Base in Italy flew over while two Eurofighters landed.
