TIRANA, April 16/ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama, also chairman of the Socialist Party, responded today through the “Eye to Eye” feature to citizens’ comments on social platforms regarding railway projects and mainly the “Red and Black” railway, Durrës – Prishtina.
The head of government said that the idea for building the railway was also put forward in a joint meeting between the two governments, that of Kosovo and that of Albania, while adding that Austrian consultants have determined the option for its passage from Shkodra through Gjakova and Prishtina as the best.
“This project has been submitted to a joint meeting of the two governments when it was at the project-idea phase; it has nothing to do with the elections, but with the new phase where Austrian consultants have determined the passage option from Shkodra through Gjakova to Prishtina as the best. Therefore, our joint team has seen fit to announce the end of this phase, because life goes on”, said Rama.
Speaking on financing, Rama said: “Second, how much it costs, this will be revealed in the detailed project which will again be done by a high-level international expertise and will be approved by the Western Balkans Investment Fund. One thing is certain: the railway cannot be built without money. Whether or not this project will be completed, fortunately, is not up to those who curse and mock from the cafes of Tirana and Pristina, but it is up to those who design and work in the trenches of the future”.
Rama said that, “The railway program is a new and comprehensive package which has been opened with Tirana – Rinas – Durrës, where the work is moving towards completion”.
Regarding the process of beginning of the works, Rama said that we are in an advanced phase on several railways adding that they will be in operation in the next decade. /r.e//a.f/p.s./
