The Port of Durrës endangers the integration of Albania in the EU, Brussels expects 28 million euros of funds from official Tirana

The European Union gave a strong signal against the "Durres Marina & Yachts" project worth 2.1 billion euros and the Albanian government by deciding to cancel the grant of 28 million euros for the reconstruction of Quays 1 and 2 in the West Terminal of the Port of Durres. The news was revealed by "MCN TV", where representatives of the EU Delegation in our country admitted that this grant planned to be granted to the Albanian government has been withdrawn. The reasons for this decision are related to the modification of the project and the change of use of the Port of Durrës, according to the agreement of the Albanian state with the company "Eagle Hills Real Estate Development", etc. For this media, The Office of the EU Delegation emphasized that it has followed the many discussions in the Parliament of Albania on the project of the Port of Durrës and expects concrete and accurate clarifications from the government side, implying the complete transparency of the project, something that the opposition itself has been concerned about and many media. This grant is awarded by the Investment Fund for the Western Balkans (IBIF). "As a result of the modification of the project and the change of use of the current port, the EU has canceled the remaining EBIF investment grant for the previous port project. The EU has followed the discussions in the Parliament about the draft law for the redevelopment of the port of Durrës and is waiting for clarifications from the government", says the position of the EU Delegation Office for "MCN TV". something that the opposition itself and many media have worried about. This grant is awarded by the Investment Fund for the Western Balkans (IBIF). "As a result of the modification of the project and the change of use of the current port, the EU has canceled the remaining EBIF investment grant for the previous port project. The EU has followed the discussions in the Parliament about the draft law for the redevelopment of the port of Durrës and is waiting for clarifications from the government", says the position of the EU Delegation Office for "MCN TV". something that the opposition itself and many media have worried about. This grant is awarded by the Investment Fund for the Western Balkans (IBIF). "As a result of the modification of the project and the change of use of the current port, the EU has canceled the remaining EBIF investment grant for the previous port project. The EU has followed the discussions in the Parliament about the draft law for the redevelopment of the port of Durrës and is waiting for clarifications from the government", says the position of the EU Delegation Office for "MCN TV".

The second concern, the EU fears that the "Port of Durrës" endangers the SAA

Another quite big concern for the EU is the compliance or not of the agreement between Mohamed Alabbar and the government of Albania for the transformation of the Port of Durrës, with the Stabilization-Association Agreement, signed in 2006 by our country and the EU in the framework of integration . "Regarding the trade agreement between Albania and the United Arab Emirates, the EU will continue to monitor the importance for the SAA and compliance with it, in dialogue with the Albanian institutions. We are also consulting with government representatives about investment priorities", the EU Delegation Office in Tirana further stated.

The German company complains to the Albanian state: "The Port of Durrës" interrupts our concession

However, the project in the "interest of the state and Albanian citizens" has brought another concern, which may create unnecessary large costs for our state. The German company "EMS Shipping&Trading GmbH" (or EMS APO), which has a concession for the East Terminal of Durrës for 35 years, since 2013, has raised concerns about "Marina&Yachts Durrës", with the claim that the approval and implementation of this project will terminate the concession worth 15 million euros of the Eastern Terminal acquired by it. Also, "EMS APO" denounces that its operation area in the Port of Durrës will be transferred to it without right. "The signing and fulfillment of the Framework Agreement and its Annexes, as they are currently drafted, will result in the termination of the Concession Contract before the 35-year deadline.

Shqetësimet e “EMS APO”: S’ka port të ri tregtar në Porto Romano, qeveria e paqartë

Shpjegimi që ka bërë qeveria shqiptare për aktivitetin e Portit të Durrësit, në rast realizimi të projektit “Marina&Jahtet Durrës”, është cilësuar si i paqartë nga “EMO APO” lidhur me vlerësimin se “aktivitetet do të zhvendosen në harmoni me fazat e zhvillimit të projektit, në portin e ri të integruar të Durrësit në Porto Romano”. Përveç kësaj, “EMS APO” pretendon se nuk ka projekt për porttë ri tregtar qëpremtohet se do të ndërtohet në Porto Romano. Kjo shtohet dhe nga fakti që në Relacionin Shpjegues nuk ka të dhëna për afatin e përfundimit të tij. “Aktiviteti i Portit të Durrësit nuk do të ndërpritet dhe as pengohet gjatë fazave të projektit nga Investitori Strategjik. Këto aktivitete do të zhvendosen në harmoni me fazat e zhvillimit të projektit, nëportin e ri të integruar të Durrësit në Porto Romano. Supozojmë se gjuha e mësipërme e përdor në Relacionin Shpjegues, edhe pse e paqartë, nënkupton se aktivitetet e kryera nga EMS APO sipas Kontratës së Koncesionit në Portin e Durrësit nuk do të cënohen dhe do të zhvendosen në‘portin e ri’ në Porto Romano. Një shqetësim tjetër është fakti se ‘porti i ri’ në Porto Romano, i përmendur në Relacionin Shpjegues, nuk ekziston dhe nuk jemi në dijeni të afatit kohor brenda të cilit Qeveria Shqiptare do të jetë në gjendje të ndërtojë‘portin e ri”, shprehet “EMS APO” në letrën drejtuar institucioneve të shtetit shqiptar.

Berisha: ‘EMS APO’ mund të padisë shtetin shqiptar, dëm 200-300 mln euro

The head of "Foltore" and former prime minister Sali Berisha informed that the Albanian state may suffer a strong financial blow if it paves the way for the construction of more than 12 apartments, an area for yachts, hotels, the navy, etc. At the press conference, Berisha stated that the German company "EMS APO", which has the tender for the Eastern Terminal of the Port of Durrës, can sue the Albanian state in the International Court of Arbitration for breach of contract and be compensated 200-300 million euros. "According to the contract, EMS says that it retains the right to take legal measures for the premature termination of this contract, which could cost the Albanians 200-300 million euros without any hesitation. Albanians will pay the tribute, in addition to 2 billion for the new port, they will also pay the terrible fines," said Berisha.