TIRANA, July 26/ATA/ Minister of Finance Ervin Mete, EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato and the Head of EBRD in Albania Ekatarina Solovova signed today at the House of Europe, in Tirana the agreement providing 136 million euros in grants from the European Union for the rehabilitation of the Vorë-Hani i Hoti railway line.
The funds are provided by the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and represent the largest EU grant to Albania, so far.
With the signing of the loan agreements at the beginning of the year, the signing of the EU grant completes the financial structure of the project and marks the beginning of its implementation.
The investment will enable Albanian Railways to electrify more than 120 km of rails and renovate 12 train stations, including new signaling systems, as well as safety improvements. This will enable safer and faster journeys with operating speeds of up to 100 km/h.
Mete estimated that, “This is the highest grant from the EU to Albania for investment projects”.
This is Albania’s international rail connection with regional and EU rail networks. The new line will improve market access and significantly increase international freight and passenger traffic to ports, terminals, capital cities and airports by rail.
Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Head of the EU Delegation to Albania, said that, “The connection of people is at the core of the European idea”.
“The EU’s biggest investment in Albania so far will reconnect Albanians within the rest of the region and Europe by train. The renovated railway line will promote domestic travel, international tourism, as well as support the overall socio-economic development of Albania. It will reduce the environmental impact of freight and passenger transport, thanks to the electrification of the new line. The project supports Albania’s green transition, making the railway a more efficient and climate-friendly mode of transport”, he emphasized. /m.m/p.s./
