Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj stated that the Tirana-Durrës line and the connection to Rinas International Airport are targeted to be operational by 2027, while the completion of Vora-Hani i Hotit and Durrës-Rrogozhina segments is projected for 2030.

“Our immediate objective is to deliver the modernized Tirana–Durrës line and the airport connection by 2027, serving as a critical milestone toward our broader 2030 infrastructure goals. The project is advancing rapidly, with contracting and administrative procedures seeing major progress. Concurrently, the 4 km extension to bring the train station back into central Tirana is being executed through a strategic, phased approach….” Muçaj said in a television interview on Scan TV.

Regarding the Vora–Hani i Hotit and Durrës–Rrogozhina projects, the deputy minister highlighted that there is a plan extending to 2030, with institutions committed to avoiding obstacles during the implementation phase. According to her, these projects are expected to yield concrete results for citizens during this period.

Alongside infrastructure investments, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy is also working to meet objectives related to negotiations with the European Union.

Muçaj announced that Albania aims to technically conclude its part of Chapter 14, “Transport Policy,” by March 2027, while expressing an expectation for a positive evaluation from the European Union regarding Chapter 21, “Trans-European Networks,” within the current year.

Railway projects and alignment with European transport standards are part of the goal to integrate Albania into European transport networks and improve national and regional connectivity.

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Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj, present at the committee, said that this draft law establishes new standards and criteria for construction, promoting emission-free buildings and contributing to the fulfillment of the country’s climate and energy objectives.

The draft law applies to all new buildings and those that will be renovated, from the design phase to the occupancy permit.

Muçaj highlighted that the new legal measures help reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase energy consumption savings for citizens and businesses, improve the quality of life and encourage investments in more advanced construction technologies and materials.

Muçaj also stressed that the draft law is in line with Albania’s national objectives and commitments within the framework of the European Union integration process. According to official data included in the attached report of the draft law, in order to achieve the national target of reducing emissions by 2050, around 745 thousand residential buildings in Albania must be renovated, representing a total area of ​​around 60 million square meters. /j.p/p.s./

Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations Taulant Balla, also Political Leader of the Socialist Party for the Diaspora, expressed condolences to the bereaved family of athlete Anila Muçaj, who lost her life while training in southwest Ireland.

Balla said that this is sad news for the Albanian sports world.

Balla said that Anila Muçaj, a mother of two, got killed in a car crash while she was training with two other athletes.

“Sad news for the Albanian sports world! Albanian marathon athlete Anila Muçaj died in Tralee, Ireland. Our Albanian of the Diaspora, a mother of two, was hit by a car while she was training with two other athletes. Condolences to the family. Rest in peace Anila!” Balla wrote in the social media.

The 48-year-old, from Tepelena by origin, was hit by a car while training on a popular jogging, cycling and walking route in the area in Tralee, Ireland. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj presented to the committee the relevant financial contract between Albania and the European Investment Bank for the railway line Vorë- Hani i Hotit – Global Port.

Muçaj said that the total cost of this project is 373 million euros, part of which will be covered by the state budget, the rest by the EBRD, the EU through the Western Balkans Investment Framework and the European Investment Bank.

“€133 million is a grant. This has been the focus of our work, to have support that comes in the form of grants at an almost zero cost. In the state budget, there are also foreseen 3 million euros for this project that will be used for the expropriations”, said Muçaj.

The deputy minister emphasized that this project will be completed within 2030.

“Today’s draft law foresees a financial support of 100 million euros that is added to the loan of 98.5 million euros with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development”, Muçaj said.

According to her, “The financing will be used for the rehabilitation of one of the very important railway lines that belongs to one of the main corridors connecting Albania with Montenegro and further with Ljubljana, Belgrade and Zagreb”.

“The project creates a possibility of connectivity between very important infrastructure spots in the country such as the port of Durrës and the connection with Corridor 8. It is about 120 km distance with an intensity of 2.3 million travelers per year and 9 thousand tons of goods per year”, added the deputy minister.

Muçaj emphasized that these are soft loans that come with an interest that is determined at the time the loan is granted, while the first 5 years are free of principal payment. /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./