Pristine, January 15, 2010 – Minister of Energy and Mining, Justina Shiroka – Pula, stayed yesterday in one-day visit to Albania, in Tirana where she met with Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Dritan Prifti, and later visited Shkodra, where she was hosted by local authorities and visited the flooded areas.

Minister Pula, during meeting with Minister Prifti discussed and confirmed the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy, particularly talked about the situation caused by flooding in northern areas of Albania.

The Minister stressed that cooperation in the energy field is close as the level of relevant ministries, as well as between KEK and KESH Corporate. This cooperation is intensive and based on two corporations that have interest in complementary operation of our two systems. Electricity exchanges made between them optimize their operation.

She said that in the critical days of extreme flows in the cascade of hydropower Drin, KEK has received the maximum amount in the form of storage, to return when possible and its surplus. In this meeting was also discussed the Zhuri hydropower project, for which the Minister Prifti has shown interest and proper support.
 
Reference to the latest situation, Minister Pula said that Kosovo will help with all of its capacity to Albania  to overcome damages caused by floods, and has confirmed that KEK will continue to assist as needed KESH in, taking excess energy from Albania hydro capacity.

On his part, Minister Dritan Prifti has appreciated the Government of Kosovo assistance in these difficult moments facing Albania and thanked Minister Pula for her contribution, and has valued the readiness of the Kosovo Energy Corporation to give the maximum in these times.

Minister Prifti said that the ministry he runs is interested to take further cooperation between the two countries in the energy field and has promised that the Albanian side will make all appropriate actions to materialize all cooperation initiatives.

Afterwards Minister Pula visited the Shkodra, where at the Emergency Headquarters was hosted by Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy, Neritan Alibali, Prefect of Shkodra, Maxhit Cungu, as well as Chairman of District of Shkodra, Xhevahir Kolombo.
Interlocutors have informed Minister Pula with the situation on the ground and actions taken to manage the situation, whereas they appreciated Kosovo’s commitment to providing assistance in some segments.

Minister Pula, accompanied by Deputy Minister Alibali and local leaders of Shkodra, has visited residents of the municipality of Bushat, which remains flooded and met members of the Kosovo Security Force, who are helping residents of this dwelling.