Albania and Kosovo want to build connecting highway

AP ^ | Wed Jun 5, 8:49 AM ET | MERITA DHIMGJOKA

[Spar]

Albania and Kosovo want to build connecting highway

Wed Jun 5, 8:49 AM ET

By MERITA DHIMGJOKA, Associated Press Writer

TIRANA, Albania - Albania and Kosovo would like to build a connecting highway to boost economic and political relations, Prime Minister Pandeli Majko said Wednesday.

"It would be ironic for Albanians in Albania and Kosovo to wish to be integrated into Europe, before they are integrated in the region," Majko told a joint news conference with Bajram Rexhepi, the prime minister of Kosovo.

The planned 200-kilometer (120-mile) highway would link Albania's Western port of Durres, the northern town of Kukes, at the border with Kosovo, and Kosovo's capital, Pristina.

The highway would give Kosovo access to the Adriatic sea.

Because of the bad state of the existing road, most transport between Kosovo and Albania now goes through neighboring Macedonia.

The project is expected to cost between dlrs 250 and 300 million, a huge sum in one of Europe's poorest regions.

Majko said the World Bank (news - web sites) had promised to help finance the project but gave no details.

In the past, Western governments have been reluctant to support such a project for fear of fueling tensions in a region where some governments, like that of Serbia and Macedonia, fear the creation of a Greater Albania.

The Albanian government denies such aspirations and argues the road would boost the economies of both Albania and Kosovo.

"This project will show that Albanians are a stabilizing factor in the region, and not a destabilizing factor," Rexhepi said.

[Spar]

"This project will show that Albanians are a stabilizing factor in the region, and not a destabilizing factor," Rexhepi said.

I love the Mulism-Albanian modesty...The Port of Durres of course is the terminus for the East to West pipeline route.

Earlier story on FreeRepublic: Albania, Kosovo plan 'breakthrough' route

[Spar]

A true highway of death.

[swarthyguy]

Since all the Serbs and nonjihadi muslims are out of Kosovo now, it's logical that Kosovo will eventually merge with Albania. THere's only muslims in Kosovo anyway. Another victory for the ummah. Another loss for free people everywhere.

[RightWhale]

Used to know somebody in Pristina before the war. Told him it looked bad, but typical, he wouldn't listen.

[BOBTHENAILER]

They want to name it the Highway to Hell. Fits, both ways.

[nomoreheroes]

My wallet feels a dollar lighter

[kettle belly]

Since Albania barely has a government, or indeed an economy, & the Kosovo "assembly" is run by thieves, drug runners & pimps the only part of this story which is of any importance is the bit about the world bank being willing to pay. Legally, of course, Kosovo is still Yugoslav but then legally (Clause 1 Sect 1 Helsinki Treaty) we are legally obliged to "take no action against the territorial integrity or unity" of any signatory including Yugoslavia, so I guess legality isn't really a consideration.

[Phillip Augustus]

While Bush, sadly, appears to be willing Clinton's satanic policy of appeasement of the Albanian Muslim terrorists at the expense of Christian Serbs, things change. And the Serbs will be ready to bring Kosovo back home when the time is right. I, for one, await that day with glee.

[Phillip Augustus]

should read, is "willing to continue Clinton's..."

[Kenny Bunk]

Warn the Germans and Italians to keep an eye on the Autobahnen and the Autostrade. If there's a way to steal a highway, our Allies, the friendly and colorful Albanians, will figure it out in short order.

But look at the bright side, Albania's largest foreign exchange earner, after heroin, is stolen cars. They obviously need somewhere to drive them.

[bob808]

"Albania and Kosovo would like to build a connecting highway to boost economic and political relations [and pave the way for Greater Albania], Prime Minister Pandeli Majko said Wednesday".

[DTA]

Highway is actually very good idea. K-Albs will need it for one way travel to Albania when the time is right.

[Phillip Augustus]

and hopefully that time is forthcoming soon....

[bob808]

Amen.

[vooch]

What this means is that Kfor appears to have give up on building alternative route to Kacanik. Prior to this annoucement, there had been reports from Kfor/NATO that they were doing all sorts of work expanding bridges etc on this route........sounds like Kfor realized Kukas-Duras would never be secure

[swarthyguy]

It's time for a true Orthodox Second Front. This time, US/NATO are fighting jihadis not playing footsie. Let's see, if there's Orthodox, Jewish, Christian and Hindu second fronts, We should invite the Buddhists, too. Since we've got this non-religious religious war going.

[Phillip Augustus]

Good idea- but please don't distinguish Orthodox and Christian. Orthodox is Christian as Catholic or Protestant.

[swarthyguy]

I was afraid if i just said Christian then you might say, y'know:). Mea culpa.

[ABrit]

"Albania and Kosovo want to build connecting highway"

Surely Milosevic will be able to use this revelation to justify all his actions. All means must be used to stop this "evil" road. This road is wicked, and Muslim, and will lead to the end of the world as we know it. (Sarcasm)

[Spar]

What was done to get these routes was evil not the road itself. The Albanians are not worth much beyond that goal.