The joint Kosovo-Albania border crossing point in Dragash has been officially opened. The crossing point in Krushevë-Shishtavec was part of the agreement signed at the meeting of the two governments.
"The common point of border crossing will be open 24/7, at the service of citizens, vehicles and the transportation of non-commercial goods. It will enable the movement of citizens of third countries, will increase the economy of our countries and will develop tourism in the beautiful mountains of Sharri", said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe Albania-Kosovo border will have four customs service points from now on. The common border crossing point Shishtavec (Kukës) - Krushevë (Dragash) will be a border crossing point that will also serve as a customs point and without restrictions for the various citizens who want to move from Albania to Kosovo and vice versa.
The Shishtavec-Krushevë border crossing and the Orgjost-Orqushë border crossing were opened in October 2003 after the cooperation memorandum was reached between the Government of Albania and UNMIK. While that Borje-Gllobočica was opened in June 2009 after an agreement between the Government of Kosovo and that of Albania. These border crossing points served only for pedestrians who are local residents on both sides of the border at a distance of 15 kilometers from the border point.
On April 16, 2013, in Tirana, the interior ministers of Kosovo and Albania signed the agreement that the border crossing points Borje - Gllobočicë; Orgjost - Orqushë and Shishtavec - Krushevë to function as a common center of police cooperation. The concretization of this agreement was reached on May 10, 2013, where at the Shishtavec-Krushevë border crossing, the circulation of vehicles was also allowed.
The joint crossing point Shishtavec-Krushevë is located on the territory of Albania in the region of pyramid D18. The activity of joint border crossing points is based on the respective legislation of both countries, the EU recommendations, the Schengen Code, as well as the best international practices.
On the Albania-Kosovo border, with a length of 111.8 kilometers, there are currently six border crossings, where three of them are in the area of Gora. The area of Gora in the district of Kukës has a population of 14 inhabitants. Out of six border crossings, four of them are already approved as customs points, where only Morinë-Vërmica is of the first category. The customs points of Qafë-Prushi in Has and Qafë-Morína in Tropoja are of the second category, while Shishtavec-Krushevë are of the third category.
Sveçla has said that the Government intends to soon finalize the agreement for the residents of the border zone.
"Any initiative to eliminate the barriers that Albanians may encounter will have our maximum commitment. Any challenge that Albania may face, always has Kosovo by its side. Together we share history, challenges and pride", he wrote on Facebook.