Approving the draft law “On the ratification of the Agreement for technical support between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania and the NATO AMP for the implementation of Kuçova projects funded by the NATO IP for Security, 2019-2022”

Published: Thursday, 22 October 2020 13:55

I would like to briefly say a few words about the draft law that we are voting on today, as I believe that all colleagues are familiar with the content of this draft law and also with the modernization of Kuçova Base, and I believe that they support it as strongly as I do.

Precisely, the draft law “On the ratification of the Agreement for technical support between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for the implementation of the Kuçova Projects, funded by the NATO Investment Program for Security, for the years 2019-2022” paves the way to the implementation of the project for the modernization of the Kuçova Base and its transformation into a tactical NATO air base. There is no doubt that the construction of this base, the works for which will begin within a very short time, is of an exceptional importance to us.

First, because this base puts Albania on the map of NATO's strategic interests. The country assumes a strategic importance that it has not had for many, many decades. And I also want to remind you that this is not only the largest investment but also the only NATO air base in our region.

In military terms, the Kuçova Base will be a Deployable Tactical Base, which will have all the necessary infrastructure and capacities to support NATO missions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, being them training missions in peacetime, or combat missions in times of crisis. More specifically, the base will support the deployment of 6 tactical fighter jets and transport aircraft.

Second, the functioning of the Kuçova Base will have a significant impact on the modernization and strengthening of the Albanian Air Force. We have taken some important steps in this direction, certainly in cooperation with the Allies, by setting up the airspace surveillance system, in cooperation with Lockheed Martin, the giant of the world and American military industry, or by adding to our fleet, some Blackhawk helicopters, which will allow us to slowly take some important steps towards the rebuilding of the Air Force, which more than any other force in our army, has suffered from degradation and destruction.

Thanks to the Kuçova Base, our forces will now have much greater opportunities for bilateral cooperation or training, which previously was simply impossible. Third, beyond the military and strategic dimension, this base will have a very large impact on the economy and development of the entire Kuçova area. And I am not talking simply about the investment of the first phase, which reaches up to 50 million Euros, and will create employment opportunities and economy throughout the Kuçova area and beyond. I am also talking about the impact that this base will have in the long run, thanks to the turnover of staff and support staff, who will be deployed there creating a constant demand for services, products and so on.

But personally, what makes me really proud is the fact that the allies chose Albania to build an air base, as I said, the only one in our region. I know that things are quickly forgotten, but I believe you remember that until 7 or 8 years ago, the Albanian Armed Forces were still mentioned for bribes demanded from soldiers in missions, for suspicions of leaking secrets or for searching for treasures with army means. Well do you believe that at that time Albania could have been a credible option to make a strategic investment of this nature, I think not, but I believe that the fact that Albania was chosen for the construction of this base, speaks very clearly about the standard that the Armed Forces have reached today and about the trust that the allies have in Albania today. And I want to emphasize that although this is the largest and most spectacular investment, this is by no means the only investment made by the allies in the Armed Forces because over the last two years we have really seen a record level of support, especially from our American allies, but not only.

The reason for this is simple. Our allies see, as do all members of the Armed Forces, that today the Albanian army has taken extraordinary steps towards modernization and professionalism, and operates with standards comparable to those of our allies. And I do not say that, but the allies say it. They say that about the Albanian contingents in Afghanistan, in Kosovo, in Mali. They say it about our contribution to Iraq or Latvia.

The Kuçova Base is a long-term project, the impact of which will be felt for many, many years to come. But just as long-term is the transformation that is taking place today in the Armed Forces where today a meritocratic career system is being consolidated, where education and knowledge is being invested like never before in the last 30 years, and where, it is being invested like never before in them who are the real key to the success of the FA reconstruction, who are the men and women, and youngsters who wear the FARSH uniform.

Of course, I do not want to deny that there is still a lot of work to be done to rebuild the Armed Forces and bring it fully to the level that belongs to the army of a NATO member country. But it is clear that the Armed Forces are already in a process of reform and modernization that is creating a good momentum that I believe will be accelerated even more thanks to important strategic investments such as the Kuçova Base.

So I invite you to vote for it together.