Ministers Sign Cerklje Airport Reconstruction Document
Four Slovenian ministers signed on Thursday a protocol on the scope and contents of a national spatial plan for the renovation of the Cerklje ob Krki military airport. The Defence Ministry said that the facility would not be used as a NATO airbase.
The protocol was signed by Defence Minister Karl Erjavec, Economy Minister Andrej Vizjak, Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Janez Podobnik and Transport Minister Janez Bozic in Cerklje ob Krki barracks. Erjavec said that the national spatial plan should be adopted early in 2008.
The defence minister added that construction of new buildings at the location would take place between 2007 and 2011. The project is estimated at around EUR 70m, with NATO contributing EUR 38m.
The upgraded airport is to serve as a host nation support facility, meaning that Slovenia should allow NATO aircraft to temporarily land there if asked by the alliance. As a NATO member, Slovenia would also have to allow aircraft maintenance and supplies, Erjavec said.
After the upgrade, the facility will serve as the Slovenian Air Force's main base, housing the majority of the aircraft currently located at the Brnik airport, Erjavec noted.
The modernisation involves a cutting-edge navigation system that would allow landings by day night, and an increase in the length of the runway. The airbase will also be equipped for civilian aviation purposes, the minister explained.
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