Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, at the same time Minister of Infrastructure and Energy stated that the agreement foresees the accession of the Republic of Albania to the protocol of the inter-bus agreement.

Our country joined the inter-bus agreement in 2004.

“The protocol aims to influence the promotion and further development of international passenger transport in Europe, as well as to facilitate its organization and operation”, said Balluku.

“At a time when tourism in the Republic of Albania has marked a new surge with 10 million passengers in 2023, today we are prepared according to all projections to host more than 14 million passengers in our country. Hence, all plans related to sea, air and road transport are necessary and priority. And every agreement that accommodates a legal alignment with all the criteria and requirements of the European Union at this moment are very important,” she said.

Balluku emphasized that in addition to the agreements, the government is also working on the construction of infrastructure to respond to the flow of tourists./p.s./

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj was guest to the meeting to present the bill. She stated that this protocol is a continuation of the basic agreement.

“This initiative has no financial effect on the state budget and enables an international agreement for a faster circulation. We respond to a request from our strategic partners such as the European Union”, said Muçaj.

On her part, the relator of the case Hatixhe Konomi stated that Albania has adhered to the inter-bus agreement in 2004 and today’s protocol is an extension of this agreement.

“The countries that have joined this protocol are EU countries. Albania has currently a legal framework more harmonized with the EU rules. The agreement has no financial effects on the state budget and I invite my colleagues to support this draft law”, said Konomi. /m.m/p.s./