Tirana, 4 March 2024 (MIA) - Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska attended the inauguration of a modernized air base, which has been transformed into a NATO tactical air base and is the first of its kind in the Western Balkans, in Kuçovë, Albania on Monday, at the invitation of her Albanian counterpart Niko Peleshi.

The NATO air base will be used in support of various types of air operations, including NATO air patrol activities by the Greek and Italian air forces.

Petrovska congratulated her Albanian counterpart on the opening of this significant aviation support facility, noting that all activities undertaken by counties in the region to strengthen military capacities, including the modernization and equipping of armed forces, affect the consolidation of NATO's collective security, the security of countries in the region and their citizens, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release.

The inauguration was also attended by the ministers of defence of Kosovo and Montenegro.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister Peleshi expressed his gratitude to his colleagues from neighbouring counties for the excellent cooperation and their presence at this significant event, which according to him, is "a treasure for the entire region." ssh/nn/

Photo: Ministry of Defence