July 4 (SeeNews) - NATO is discussing with Albania the potential construction of a naval base at a planned seaport near Durres, prime minister Edi Rama said.
Albania has invited NATO to co-finance the construction of the military facility at the new seaport, whereas the construction of the commercial and cargo portions will be funded by Albania's government, Rama said in a statement on Friday.
"A special meeting between the team of Albanian experts and NATO experts is set to take place on this issue soon to unveil the detailed design and carry on with further talks and discussions on the project," Rama said.
Albania's government plans to build a new cargo port in the Porto Romano area near the country’s largest port of Durres. Under the plan, all commercial activities of the port of Durres will be relocated to the new port, leaving only the passenger terminal in operation.
Currently, NATO is working on a project to upgrade the air base in Albania's Kucova. NATO will invest over 50 million euro ($52.2 million) for the modernisation of the Kucova air base that will also serve as a national base for the Albanian Air Force, Albania's defence minister Niko Peleshi said in December.
Albania joined NATO in 2009.
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