Prishtina, 19.05.2016 – Kosovo and Albania have recently intensified their activities for the realization of strategic interests of both countries, with the aim of creating a common market in the electricity sector; this commitment, however, went further, exploring the possibility of joint investments in new generation capacities, said the Minister of Economic Development, Blerand Stavileci.

Minister Stavileci made these comments today in the joint Kosovo-Albania meeting for the establishment of a common energy market, held in Pristina. In addition to representatives of the Government of Albania, the Ambassador of Norway in Pristina, Jan Braathu, USAID representatives and other stakeholders in the energy sector in the country were present in the meeting.

Stavileci said that this bilateral integration is in line with European Union policies and the initiative of the six Western Balkan countries, to be followed in the stage of regional integration.

“Initiatives such as the creation of a common market between the two countries, as well as the initiative for an energy stock market are what we need for a European future, especially under the Berlin process, which aims to integrate the regional countries in the regional market” he added.

According to him, this meeting is an opportunity to exchange concrete information regarding the achievements of Albania in the establishment of the energy Stock Market and thus identify harmonization duties for Kosovo.

Stavileci said that the most substantial issue for future meetings between the two governments of Kosovo and Albania is energy, as this area has seen concrete achievements, extended down to the technical level, and thanked the international partners for their support.

From his part, the Norwegian Ambassador in Prishtina, Jan Braathu, appreciated the commitments of Kosovo and Albania in the field of energy and mentioned the 400 kV interconnection line between the two countries. He said that this practice should continue with other countries such as Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece and perhaps the region’s integration in the European energy network.

Entela Çipa – Advisor to Minister Gjiknuri, emphasized that energy is one of the sectors where both countries have a very close cooperation and the two ministers, Gjiknuri and Stavileci, have enhanced their commitment to ensure that both countries progress towards an advanced energy market, with the aim of regional integration.