Good News for the Nation's Road Tax

Albanian Government officials have warned that they will discuss reducing national road tariffs, even for businesses and citizens who often move towards Albania. But, they have provided no indication that a ten-euro sum will be dropped for Kosovars who rarely travel on Albanian soil. In contrast, the Government of Albania plans to operate with the Quakers, who are expected to have a very low pay fee for the use of the road.

Albanian Infrastructure and Energy Minister Dardan Malaj's adviser, contacted by the Journal Express, said that once the extenuating formula for residents of the Kukes district was established, then the negotiating group would focus on the discussions on other frequent users of the nation's route, which are not from the Kukes district. These include Kosovo citizens, who often frequent this route, not only for business, but for tourism as well.

Thus, the tariff is expected to be lowered for persons who visit the Albanian state more often by entering the “category of frequent users”.

The same for other Albanians on Albania's territory, who are not residents of Kukes. To define the frequently used “ ” category, even to them there will be eased payments”, Malaj said.

Officials from the Government of Kosovo, however, the declaration of Minister Damian Gjiknuri that the tariff will be lowered for the residents of Kukes, not mentioning Kosovars, have described it as ignoring and striking Kosovo.

Contacted by the Express newspaper Fatos Mani, Paul Lekaj's adviser, says it is bad that Albania has forgotten Kosovo for negotiations on new tariffs for the Nation's Way.

Whatever I can say on this subject, I think it's good that taxes have been lowered for residents, but very bad that Kosovo is forgotten about the new tariff agreement. Too bad Albania's Infrastructure Ministry has forgotten Kosovo in dealing with new tariffs with concession”, Mani told Gazeta Express on Sunday.

However, Malaj says the negotiating group with the concession is still in discussions as far as frequent road users' concept and their treatment, regardless of where they come from. The moment these talks are closed, decision-making will be made public.