American Army newspaper says: Building Base in Albania to Oppose Russia

American Army newspaper, “Stars and Stripes” has dedicated a scripture to the news that NATO has begun work on establishing an air base in Albania.

The paper stresses that the goal of establishing this base is to counter Russian influence in the region.

“NATO is expected to expand its presence in the Balkans -- where the West and Russia are locked in a battle for influence -- as Albania prepares to host the alliance's first military base in the region”.

Albanian and American <x0m-stars on Thursday marked the launch of the first phase of the 58m-euro project for modernisation of Kucova air base in the centre of Albania, so that it can comply with NATO standards”.

It notes that Albania does not have its own aircraft, and that since 2009, when it became part of the Alliance, airspace has been monitored by Italy and Greece.

It further emphasises that the investment came after Defence Minister Olta Xhacka paid a visit to the Pentagon, calling for the establishment of a US or NATO base in the region to counter Russian influence, but also the interests of countries like China and Iran.

“The region has been a strategy for influence between the West and Russia, which has criticised moves to expand NATO's membership in this region, stressing that it threatens regional security,” stresses the writing.