The EU - Western Balkans summit is held today in Tirana, Kosovo is absent; roads that are blocked

After the Summit for Ukraine, Tirana will welcome today the summit of the Western Balkans with the European Union.

Kosovo was represented yesterday by President Vjosa Osmani, none of the official leaders of Pristina will come to Tirana at Thursday's summit. On the other hand, Serbian President Aleksandër Vucic will be present.

Another absence is that of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as Brussels seems to have chosen to be represented by the Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

Meanwhile, for the first time as Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi will be part of an important summit.

 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

Edi Rama – Prime Minister of Albania

Aleksandar Vucic – President of Serbia

Milojko Spajič – Prime Minister of Montenegro

Borjana Kristo – President of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Talat Xhaferi – Prime Minister of North Macedonia

Oliver Varhelyi – EU Commissioner for Enlargement

Majlinda Bregu – General Secretary for Regional Cooperation

Danijela Gacevic – Acting Head of CEFTA

Gert Jan Koopman – General Director of the EC negotiating group for Neighborhood and Enlargement

Xiaoqing Yu – Director of the World Bank for the Western Balkans

Charlotte Ruhe – EBRD Managing Director for Central and South Eastern Europe

Matej Zakonjsek – Director of the Community Secretariat for Transport

Maja Pishkevic – Center of Europe in the Atlantic Council and representative of the center in the Western Balkans

Alessandro Bragonzi – Head of Regional Representation for the Western Balkans at the European Investment Bank (EIB)

Lulzim Rafuna – Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Kosovo

Ines Muçostafa – President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Albania

Andi Dobrushi – Executive Director of OSFA

 To ensure safety, the police have taken measures to block several main roads.

Today, from 12:00 to 14:00, there will be a traffic ban on Elbasan Street, Great Western Ring Road - former "Shqiponja" Square - Qafe Kashar - Rinas - "Mother Teresa" Airport;

Roads where traffic will be closed until 4:00 p.m. on February 29, specifically:

- "Dervish Hima" road from Elbasan road to Coin;

- "Pope John Paul II" road, from RTSH to Coin;

- "Abdyl Frashëri" street, from the Libri Universitari intersection to the Presidency;

- "Free Ukraine" street, from the Constitutional Court to Vila 30;

- "Themistokli Gërmenji" street, from Elbasan Street to "Papa John Paul II" street;

- "Faik Konica" street, from Ambasador 3 branch to "Dervish Hima" street;

- "Gjergj Filipi" street, "Italia" square, from "Faik Konica" street to "Mariot" hotel;

- "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard, from the bridge of the former Dajti hotel to "Mother Teresa" square;

For residents and vehicles located in the streets and residential blocks, within the security perimeter, they will be allowed to enter and exit, respectively from: 

a) Residential block at "Ambasador 3", from "Sheh Ahmet Pazar" or Faik Konica street;

b) Residential block on "Themistokli Gërmenji", "Jul Variboba", "Fatmir Haxhiu" and "Papa Jjon Pali II" streets, in the direction of entry and exit towards Elbasan Street;

c) Residential block at the two towers on "Ismail Qemali" and "Free Ukraine" streets, in the direction of entry and exit limited by security services and exit to "Dëshmorët e Kombit" boulevard and then forced return to the boulevard " Bajram Curri”;

d) The street "Lek Dugagjini" (in front of the University) continuing to the street "Faik Konica" (behind the stadium), with an exit to Elbasan Street, will be free for the passage of vehicles and citizens (except when there is a restriction on the Street of Elbasan).