Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci said in an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on Monday that investing in arms industry is imperative, adding that he and Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi would explore cooperation opportunities in this area.

“We welcome development of defense industry of the Republic of Albania,” Maqedonci said.

“We in Kosovo are building the defense industry concept and I hope that the two defense ministers will enhance cooperation in this aspect, especially at a time when even big NATO countries are facing shortage of ammunition stocks due to the recent wars and this industry is necessary,” he added.

“We will discuss the matter with Defense Minister Peleshi in order to further strengthen the relations between our two countries,” he said.

Kosovo’s Defense Minister, who attended the inauguration ceremony of NATO’s tactical air base in Kuçova earlier today, said that the base will give geostrategic importance to the Western Balkans in the face of the Russian influence.

“Air base in Kuçova is first NATO base in the Western Balkans. Despite being a tactical operations base, it has a strategic impact on a strategic impact in holding back enemies and those who endanger stability and security in the Western Balkans, but also in encouraging all allies and partners to face the nowadays challenges and threats together,” he said.

/u.sh/