Replacing the fee on Nation Street: Albania, Kosovo businesses to be treated equally

“We agree that a fee must. The problem is how to smooth this down and myth this fee. Everything that sits here still pays Albanian citizens, and we need to understand that, the state budget. As this concern arose, the study was conducted and the cost of maintenance was released and we were therefore forced to go to concessionary practices. The road will cost at least 7m euros a year for maintenance, and this sum will emerge; or they will pay all Albanians or street users, and that is the truth. There are no hidden costs that”, Minister Gjiknuri said.

The minister of Infrastructure said the government is negotiating not only to address the problems of Kukes' local population as an internal problem, but also to address the overall needs of businesses, whether they are in Albania or Kosovo.

We aim for those who are frequent travelers to have a discount, and the discount is negotiating. We will not discriminate against business. If an exception has been made for Kukes citizens these are recognised and are practices in relation to local communities due to the lack of alternative roads. No unfair competition will be created due to increased transport costs, and business will be the same practice, for Albanians of Albania and Kosovo Albanians alike. So that's what we're principled with because it would be right then such dysbals such as”, Gjiknuri stressed.

Ministers Ahmetaj and Gjiknuri listened intently to concerns raised by Kosovo business representatives regarding the level of the fee and its effects on their transport costs. They agreed together that maximum efforts will be made in terms of finding extenuating forms for business tools that move more frequently on the Milot-Morine axis. The idea that the Kosovo government could also contribute to easing the financial burden generated by the tariffs and the need for maintenance of the road axis was also launched on the part of business representatives. Business representatives also proposed to ministers Ahmetaj and Gjiknuri, which resumes implementation of the crossing fee, could be transferred in time after the next tourist season is passed.

There's definitely an awareness, at least a year and a half for what the road rate would do. No balanced discussion between road costs and a new culture is discussed, but the cost that citizens and businesses would charge has been present. We're focused on the contract to frequent users. We have built with the minister a financial logic progressive, that is, to give those who use the road an opportunity. So, the more you use the road to the truck, let's say, the more you have the chance to lower your price”, Minister Ahmetaj explained.

He further stopped at the effect of any relief intervention on crossing fees on Milot-Morine Street.

“is about 48m-50m euros that takes over Albania's state budget for the transition period only from these changes we are thinking of making. Imagine that the more cars, trucks, and business cars they are, the more the state budget will pay because in the finals it's the guarantee it's offering through concession to the concession company. The good news is you're not gonna pay as much as you thought in the first contract. The prime minister has insisted, the minister has insisted, in the finals on the back of the state budget comes and we have accepted it. So, we're in harmony. The idea is how much cost we will keep and keep what we say we keep it, right? So this is the” discussion, Ahmetaj stressed.