The new bill on which Kosovars can gain Albanian citizenship

Until citizens of the Republic of Kosovo were excluded from obtaining Albanian citizenship with a 2013 decision, according to Article 6 of the new draft directory “Of State”, it is possible that all Albanians, as well as Kosovo, who manage to confirm their origin to three degrees can obtain Albania's passport, as the 2013 decision will be abolished with the new bill.

Syle Wkshini, Kosovo's ambassador to Albania, in a conversation for KosovoPress, explains in what cases Albania's citizenship can be gained, according to the new bill.

The new bill, expected to be handed over to the Albanian Parliament, has substantial changes such as Article 6, where gaining citizenship of origin is envisioned.

However, Ukshini says there should be no great expectations for this bill, since the same one does not foresee citizenship for any Albanian living outside Albanian territory.

But, according to him, there are some positive changes from the law so far and if it passes in September, then certain groups benefit.

It shows that another concept has been introduced into the bill, belonging to the territory -- that is, children born in Albania's territory -- but with parents unknown or without Albanian citizenship, will benefit Albanian citizenship.

With the new bill, Albanian authorities have predicted that a periphery is stripped of citizenship when proven to be part of criminal or terrorist groups.

Also, the new bill envisions that a foreigner, married to Albanian citizens, proving that this citizen has spent more than a year on Albanian territory, even this citizen receives the Albanian passport.

Therefore, any Kosovar who is married to a Albanian citizen who can document that he lived more than a year in Albania has the right to apply with Albanian citizenship”, says Ukshi for Kosova Press.

The bill envisions and regulates the gaining of citizenship with naturalisation as a special case, in cases where the Republic of Albania has an economic, scientific, cultural and sports interest, as well as national, authorising regulation by sublawing