Edi Rama: Kosovo's NATO integration is necessary

“Albania strongly believes that Kosovo's integration into NATO is necessary not only for Kosovo, nor for the Balkans, but for the entire Euro-Atlantic family. The full involvement of the Balkans in NATO is a strategic vision and Kosovo's involvement in NATO would be an added capital for NATO to take a full and secure form: Rama said.

At the ceremony held in the “Square, Mother Teresa” in the Albanian capital, Rama said the Balkans are in a period of peace and reconciliation thanks to NATO.

“A region that has since more than 100 years of wars and unprecedented conflicts, thanks to NATO, the Balkans now enjoy a period of peace, reconciliation and co-operation efforts. Today we are together against new enemies”, Rama said.

The Albanian prime minister also cited the construction of the NATO base in Kuchova, which he said would be one of the most modern and largest of the Alliance in the region.

“In the 10th anniversary of our country's NATO membership, which actually coincides with the 20th anniversary of a beginning of close co-operation during the war for Kosovo's liberation, Albania prepares to launch the important work of building NATO base in Cuchovo, which will be one of NATO's most modern and largest bases in the region. This fact is a beautiful symbol of this jubilee because the base conceived as one of the points of reference to our strategic alliances will be transformed from a natural basis for protection by NATO on a resurgent basis of NATO”, Rama said, among other things.