On the eve of the grand celebration of our national flag, one day before November 28, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, participated in the Kosovo-Albania Regional Development Forum on the topic ‘Opportunities for Kosovo-Albania Regional Cooperation.’ The event was organized by the Ministry of Regional Development and was held at the Palace of Culture in the municipality of Gjakova.

In his introductory speech, Prime Minister Kurti described the fact that this conference is being held in Gjakova, and exactly one day before November 28, the date of the coronation of the Albanian statehood, as very significant.

“The entire cooperation between our two states should be guided by the idea of facilitating the lives of citizens, even to the extent of feeling as if living in the same place, sharing the same values, under the same laws and regulations, without obstacles or changes that hinder or slow down their daily communication and activities,” said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Kurti, during his participation in this Forum, presented the achievements over these two and a half years between the two governments of the Republic of Kosovo and Albania. He highlighted that they have reached and implemented 58 new agreements, which represent nearly one-third of all agreements, at a pace nearly four times faster than in previous years, out of a total of 184 agreements that existed. He also added that the achieved and ongoing agreements correct the isolating past and open new possibilities and opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, citizens as both producers and consumers.

Among the agreements, he emphasized the one regarding the railway connection between Prishtina and Durrës, which he considered a major agreement and project.

He announced that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo is infrastructure meant to assist you, and there is no better date than the November holidays, specifically the upcoming November 28, to assess achievements while remembering those who sacrificed for their country.

During this event, he stated that facilitating trade, removing trade barriers, and promoting the free movement of citizens are significant steps towards common economic integration. Cognizant of this, he singled out the establishment of two customs offices of the Republic of Kosovo in Durrës and Porto-Romano, which have facilitated Kosovo’s access to the sea.

“At these customs offices, the clearance of all goods destined for Kosovo takes place, directly aiding businesses that have already saved 9 million euros. And based on the latest notes, 30 percent of the goods arriving in Durrës are destined for Kosovo,” stated the Prime Minister, before adding that investments from Albania to Kosovo in 2022 reached nearly 80 million, up from over 15 million in 2019, while discussing the results of cooperation between the two republics.

At the conclusion of his address, he extended his congratulations to all, wishing them a Happy November 28.

Present alongside the Prime Minister at this Forum were the Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Hajrulla Çeku, the advisor from the Embassy of Albania, Pranvera Teli, as well as the Deputy Ministers Ali Tafarshiku from the Ministry of Regional Development, and Agron Dobruna from the Ministry of Finance, Labor, and Transfers.