TIRANA, Aug 14 /ATA/ – Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka said Friday that Albanian and Greek authorities are engaged in talks about ways to boost testing capacities at the Kakavije border crossing and extend the working hours for the border police at this crossing point to allow travellers cross the border also after 10:00 p.m. .
Speaking to reporters while on a visit to Kakavije border crossing, Xhaçka affirmed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is intensively communicating with Greek authorities in order to ensure increased testing capacities at border, where every citizen is undergoing test for the novel coronavirus before entering Greece.
“The number of tests has increased to 330 per hour, but hopefully the testing capacities will grow. Greek authorities are committed to provide support by employing increased medical personnel and epidemiologists so that the number of tests increases and then the long queue of people will end as soon as possible,” Xhaçka told reporters.
Defence Minister also said that maximum attention and care is being provided for the migrant workers stuck at border with Greece.
“We are very closely following the situation created at the border crossings with Greece. There is no question that the government is very committed. Together with the Director of Civil Emergencies, Haki Çako and everyone else, we came here to check the situation on the ground. It is certainly not easy, since a very long queue has been created in an extremely hot weather following the decision by the Greek authorities for every traveller to obtain a certificate showing they have tested negative for the coronavirus as well as observe a seven-day isolation after entering Greece,” Xhaçka said.
“We are doing utmost efforts to make sure that none of the citizens are deprived of the basic needs. Together with the Ministry of Health we are coordinating efforts to assist them by employing many teams of doctors and nurses and ambulances. We have coordinated with the Ministry of Infrastructure for the supply of several dozen mobile toilets. Together with the municipalities of Dropulli and Gjirokastra, we are also coordinating efforts to provide to food to all families waiting here,” she said.
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