Albania, wary of Russia, reopens Soviet-era air base to NATO

FILE PHOTO: Albanian Armed Forces member closes the gate in Kucova Air Base in Kucova, Albania, October 3, 2018. Picture taken October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Florion Goga/File Photo

KUCOVA, Albania (Reuters) - NATO member Albania, which has no fighter jets of its own, opened a rebuilt Soviet-era air base to serve NATO aircraft on Monday amid an increased threat from Russia, Prime Minister Edi Rama said.

NATO has spent over 50 million euros ($54.26 million) on the Kucova Air Base to bolster its presence in the region. Airspace in the Adriatic country of Albania, which borders Greece to the south and Montenegro to the north, is protected by Italy and Greece.