The feasibility study for the Durres-Prishtina railway will cost in the region of EUR 2 million, according to the Kosovo Minister of Infrastructure Liburn Aliu in parliament last week.
A railway between the two cities was decided upon in October 2022, and a memorandum of cooperation to construct it was signed during a meeting between the two governments.
“This co-financing agreement aims to determine the procedures and share the costs between the two countries for the financing, feasibility study and project idea for this railway line. The total cost for the realization of the feasibility study and the project idea for the construction of the railway line is expected to be 1,980,000 thousand euros,” the minister said.
He added the cost would be divided between the two countries.
“The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania will share the amount of 1 million euros, while the Ministry of Infrastructure of Kosovo will share the amount of 980 thousand euros. This cost is included in the 2022 budget of the Ministry that he directs with the authorization of the Government of Kosovo”.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recently shared the agreement regarding the project and said an agreement would be ratified by parliament shortly.
“At the 87th meeting of the Government, we approved decisions on two agreements, two major development projects. For one, ratification will be required in the Assembly of the Republic; for the other, the authorization of the President to sign the same. After the joint meeting of the two Kosovo-Albania Governments, we are moving with sure steps towards the realization of the Durrës-Prishtina railway connection. With the ratification in the Assembly, the procedure will be determined; the cost will be divided so that the railway is realized”, he said.
The ministries of both governments (Kosovo and Albania) have agreed to move quickly in the complete preparation of the feasibility study and securing funds from the US, the EU and the budgets of both governments.
The railway ecosystem in Kosovo is not well developed, but there are regular lines between Prishtina, Peja, Hani I Elezit, and Fushe Kosove. In Albania, there are communist-era lines throughout the country, but only that between Tirana-Durres- Shkdora is occasionally in use.
