Albania will grant Kosovo direct access to the Mediterranean Sea through a port in Durres.
Prime Ministers of both countries announced today that Kosovo will have a customs point in Durres, Albania, on the Adriatic Sea, which will be administered by Kosovo as its own territory.
The two governments have considered several options before, but this is the first time that the entry point is planned to be granted to Kosovo without involvement of Albanian authorities in its operation.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that details of the project are being clarified. He pointed out the need for both countries to standardize trade-related documents in order to avoid red tape, cut costs and time, and increase efficiency.
He insisted on the necessity of a regional Mini-Schengen Area to benefit both countries, which would lead in free movement of people between Albanian and Kosovo.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti said they discussed three major strategic projects with Rama: the Kosovo Port of Durres, construction of a Kosovo power plant in Albania, and construction of a Tirana-Prishtina railway. Hoti said they will secure funds within this year to start with a feasibility study for the latter project.
