Both Kosovo* and Albania are aware of the importance of the agreement on the establishment of a common market for the energy sector, which is essential element and a prerequisite for economic development of both countries, said Blerand Stavileci (right), Kosovo’s* minister of economic development. He made these comments on March 10 in a joint press conference with Damian Gjiknuri (left), minister of energy and industry of Albania, held after the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the Establishment of the Common Energy Market, Kosovo’s* Ministry of Economic Development said.
Minister Stavileci said that after the signing of the agreement last year between the two governments, the committee and working groups are opening the way for the establishment of this market. “The objective is, in addition to building new generating capacity to meet the demand for electricity consumption, to also review the forms and alternatives for certain compensations and complementarities, and in this aspect we all agree that the safest bet is the Republic of Albania”, Stavileci said.
The ministry said the lack of capacities and their complementarities forced it and the Ministry of Energy and Industry of Albania to establish the common energy market, as a common market area.
Gjiknuri and Staliveci visited the works of the 400 kV interconnection between Kosovo* and Albania. Minister Stavileci said Kosovo* finalised one third of the works and the entire project is expected to be over by the end of the year. Minister Gjiknuri said that Albania finalizes its part of the work in spring 2016.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
