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.

/e.xh/j.p/p.s./

Following the meeting in Tirana with the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Foreign Minister of Montenegro Ervin Ibrahimović, the Albanian chief diplomat praised during a joint press conference cooperation with the neighboring country as partner countries and allies in the NATO.

The minister highlighted the significance of advancing cross-border projects, which according to him, “directly advance sustainable development and citizen well-being on both sides of the border”.

In this context, Hoxha stressed that, “We remain firmly committed to advancing priority infrastructure projects, notably the opening of the Zogaj-Skje joint border crossing, the construction of Buna River bridge and the modernization of the Podgorica-Hani i Hotit railway.

The minister also focused on the role of Albanians in Montenegro and the Montenegrin minority in Albania, whom he described as “strong bridges between the two countries and an invaluable asset of our relations”.

“Albania remains steadfast in ensuring that the Montenegrin minority enjoys all rights guaranteed by national and international law, just as we hope that the Albanian community in Montenegro will continue to have fair and proportional representation in public institutional and administrative life”, said Hoxha.

Focusing on regional cooperation, Hoxha stressed that, “Albania highly appreciates the close cooperation with Montenegro and our shared commitment to advancing peace, stability, and security in the Western Balkans”.

In this context, he underlined that regional cooperation, the implementation of the Growth Plan and keeping the European Union enlargement process at the center of strategic attention remain essential for the future of our countries and our entire region.

“Albania and Montenegro are considered today by others as vanguard countries of the enlargement process, a merit-based process, where the main measure remains the concrete progress and the quality of the reforms undertaken”, added Hoxha.

The minister assured that the two countries will continue to closely coordinate their positions, exchange experience and expertise, and support each other in fulfilling the obligations of the negotiations, with the aim of taking our seats soon as two new members at the European Union table”. /p.s./

The project is implemented by the Albanian Railways and is supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and financed through a mix of international grants and loans.

Signed in February 2026, the contract outlines a multi-phase project with a completion date of August 2032. The consortium was selected through an open tender.

Albania is upgrading the 120 km Vorë-Hani i Hotit railway to European standards with a €356 million investment. This project is a crucial step for connecting the country to the TEN-T network and the Pan-European Corridor X.

The railway line connecting Albania’s western lowlands to Montenegro at Hani i Hotit, constructed between 1960 and 1985, was deactivated following damage from the 2019 earthquake, after years of operating under restricted capacity. /a.f/p.s./

Referring to Chapter 14 of the negotiations, which relates to transport policy, Rama said that the message of this chapter assesses Albania’s sustainable progress in harmonizing transport policies and legislation with European standards.

According to him, the main achievements are related to improving road safety, regulating the transport market and strategic infrastructure planning.

The prime minister then focused on Chapter 15, which deals with energy, emphasizing that the achievements during 2025 are related to strengthening the commitment to the energy transition and integration into the European energy market. He stressed that Albania has made progress in diversifying energy sources, promoting renewable energies and improving energy efficiency.

Regarding road infrastructure, Rama said that, “The Llogora tunnel has been a super success”.

According to him, beyond the debates, the impact on the tourism sector has been very positive, with a large movement of people. He added that the Murriz tunnel was also opened this year.

In the field of railways, the prime minister highlighted the work done and the fact that this year, there was secured financing for the Vorë–Hani i Hotit line, with a value of 320 million euros, provided to Albania by the WBF. He added that the consolidation of the VIII railway Corridor, a project of regional and European significance, has continued.

According to Rama, the Durrës-Rrogozhinë segment has been supported with 120 million euros, while for the Rrogozhinë-Pogradec segment up to the border with North Macedonia, there is being completed the detailed design phase, which serves as the basis for financing the construction. At the same time, the prime minister emphasized that there have been laid the foundations for new strategic projects, including the Porto Romano-Sukth-Rrogozhinë-Vlora railway line, the line with Vlora airport, as well as Durrës-Prishtina line, for which, according to him, there is being done close work with the Kosovo government, with the aim of this strategic project advancing the connection between the two countries. /j.p/p.s./

According to data presented by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkela Muçaj to the Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance, 6.4 billion lekë will be invested in rail projects next year, while the budget for this sector will continue to increase into 10 billion lekë in 2027 and 11.1 billion lekë in 2028.

“Rail transport is one of the government’s strategic priorities. The planned investments aim to modernize the existing network, increase safety and bring standards closer to those of the European Union,” Muçaj said during the hearing session.

Muçaj focused on structural reforms and the reorganization of the sector, bringing it up to the standards and according to the best European models.

According to her, the bulk of the 2026 budget funds will be focused on the Tirana-Durrës-Rinas railway line, a 50-kilometer project, which is considered the most advanced model of investment in the Albanian railway infrastructure.

“Currently, there are being added the finishing touches to the electrical system while there is being prepared the first fleet of five electric trains. The technical components of the line are being finalized. The project also includes the railway dispatch center that will guarantee 24-hour monitoring and service, as well as the training of personnel that will operate on this line,” she emphasized.

Muçaj noted that in Tirana there will be built the central railway station, which will serve as a new public transport hub and a national symbol of the revival of this sector. /r.e/p.s./

Balluku said that, “We have already entered an advanced phase of works for the construction of the stations, which brings this project closer to its completion with contemporary conditions and according to the best standards”.

According to her, there is work underway in 8 construction sites. The new Train Station in Tirana is being built on the site where this station once stood; then, there are the stations in Kashar, in Vora, Sukth, Shkozet and the station in Durrës, which will be reconstructed.

Balluku said that the novelty of this project is the construction of the new station in Rinas according to all parameters, which will create a connection between the airport and Tirana Train Station.

“The project at the Tirana Train Station envisages a central building with underground platforms, a ground floor, which will be commercial, and the second and third floors where the offices of the Albanian Railway will be relocated. This will be a contemporary center designed by foreign architects according to the best standards,” said Balluku.

“The construction of the Tirana-Durrës-Rinas railway line will be completed next year, while the electrification and arrival of trains for the start of operations is intended to be completed in the first quarter of 2027.” /r.e/p.s./

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./

At the event “Infrastructure, Achievements and Challenges for Albania 2030”, Rama spoke about the construction of the railways.

“We started work on Tirana-Durres railway in 2014. Building railways today, or major works outside the EU, is a heroic thing, because what happened to us was that we applied in 2014, got the “ok” in 2015”, said Rama.

However, Rama underlined, “If Albanians want all these railways and other necessary works, they must understand that these can happen faster only by becoming EU members”.

So, Rama said, “The EU has helped us with these and in total Albania has received from the EU something more than 1 billion, but 90% loans. Not commercial loans, but still loans. That is, loans that weigh on our budget and our commitments”.

“If we become and when we become member of the EU, we will receive something more than 1 billion every year and 90% will be grants”, Rama emphasized./j.p/p.s./

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku shared in the social media the project of this railway line.

Yesterday, in Tirana there was signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank for its financing.

“Durrës-Rrogozhina railway line, a project that is on its way of implementation will serve as one more transport alternative for all citizens,” wrote Balluku.

The project of Durrës – Rrogozhinë railway segment will be ready within the current year, which is expected to be delivered as a work in 2028.

During the signing of the agreement, Balluku said that, “This segment will be followed by Rrogozhina – Pogradec segment, which will be delivered in 2029”.

“These national and regional strategic projects bring Albania even closer to its dream of joining the European Union”, stated the deputy prime minister.

The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) and the government of Albania signed an EU financial package worth 90.5 million euros for reconstruction of Durrës – Rrogozhina railway section. It happened during the official Albanian visit of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas. The funds consist of an EU grant worth €60.5 million, channelled under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and a €30 million loan from the EIB Global.

The funds will enable the modernization of a 34 km long railway line between the port of Durrës and Rrogozhina in central Albania, which lies on the multimodal Corridor VIII connecting the ports of southern Italy, Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

The project is of strategic importance, as an indicative extension of the TEN-T network and is part of the EU’s economic and investment plan for the Western Balkans.

The total cost of the project is estimated at €121 million, co-financed with a €30 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The 172 km long Corridor VIII does not only serve Albania. It is an energy and infrastructure corridor that connects Italy, Albania, North Macedonia and ends in Bulgaria. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

In a post on the social media, the EU’s foreign policy chief said that construction of the Durrës–Rrogozhinë railway, part of Corridor VIII, will create new jobs, enhance trade, and improve connectivity, bringing Albania closer to its neighbours and the EU.

“I was pleased to witness the signing of an agreement between Albania and the European Investment Bank to reconstruct the railway between the port of Durrës and Rrogozhinë. This will create new jobs, enhance trade, and improve connectivity, bringing Albania closer to its neighbours and the EU,” Kallas wrote.

EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Albania today. Kallas was received by Prime Minister Edi Rama, and the President of Republic Bajram Begaj.

Kallas also attended the EU-Albania Security and Defense Dialogue and the signing ceremony of the agreement with EIB on reconstruction of Durrës-Rrogozhinë railway.

The official visit to Tirana is part of her first trip to the Western Balkans, with stops in Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

/k.s//a.f/u.sh/