“There is a question that requires an answer while there can be speculation about it in the media. It is true that Albania is about to confirm the possibility of exploiting a very large amount of oil and gas discovered in the area of ​​Shpirag, in the south-east of the country. But, this has nothing to do with what we discussed and what we can do together. This large amount of gas and oil discovered by the ‘Shell’ company is in the process of analysis for the possibility of commercialization, because being in a deep layer, an analysis is made of the costs of extracting it above the surface and then putting it in the market”, explained Rama.

The prime minister said that, “What we have discussed and is in the memorandum signed today between Albania and Serbia is about cooperation in the mining and energy sector, considering that we are 100% green energy”.

“We are based entirely on our hydro capacities, while Serbia is based on thermo and needs coal. In the conditions when there is created the possibility of exchange, i.e. coal in exchange for energy, this can be a very good solution for both parties”, said Rama.

In regard to gas, the prime minister emphasized that, “Albania has today a historic opportunity for a very important transformation in the port of Vlora”.

“In fact, we have entered the phase of implementation of a project to transform the entrance to that port into a liquefied gas terminal and to create the possibility that in the Thermal Power Plant of Vlora, an infrastructure built to produce thermal energy with diesel, will be able to produce electricity”, he added.

The prime minister said that, “We are in negotiations with North Macedonia and Kosovo to make them part of this project”.

“A number of actors are involved here, and we also expect Saudi Arabia to evaluate a number of investment opportunities. We are in a diversification process with a very clear plan to turn Albania into a net exporter and make it possible for us to handle all the money that comes in, but this will take several years. It is not something that can be done today,” he said./p.s./