TIRANA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian Defense Minister Olta Xhacka and visiting NATO Commander of Allied Air Command General Tod D. Wolters discussed on Thursday the launch of NATO's investment at Kucova Air Base in lower central Albania.

Xhacka and General Wolters had an official meeting in Tirana in the light of the Albania's 10th anniversary of NATO membership and NATO's investment at Kucova Air Base.

"It is difficult to imagine that nearly 10 years ago, in the spring of 2009 we celebrated Albania's membership in NATO and today we are celebrating the launch of investments at the air base in Kucova," stated General Wolters during the joint press conference.

According to Wolters, Kucova's Air Base represents a great opportunity for innovation to improve the control of large space structures.

"This is a base that will have the opportunity to host fighter aircrafts that control space militarily," said Wolters.

During her speech, minister Xhacka emphasized that NATO's investment on Albania's Air Force Base in Kucova is important for both the national and regional security.

Xhacka declared that the master-plan for Kucova Air Base will be projected by NATO and will be ready in a few months.

On Thursday, Wolters also had official meetings with the President of Albania Ilir Meta and the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces, Brigadier General, Bardhyl Kollcaku.

Last year in August, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that Albania would have the first NATO air base in the Western Balkans.

Albania received an invitation to join NATO at the 2008 Bucharest Summit and became a full member on April 1, 2009.