The studies for the construction of the last part of the railway connection between Greece and Albania, approximately 130 km long, from the area of Krystallopigi to Pogradec, are starting. The cross-border cooperation project, which will upgrade the interconnection of the two countries, is on track with the signing of the Service Agreement for the elaboration of the necessary studies, which will lead to the optimal investment choice for the more correct implementation of the project.
The subject of the contract is part of the CBRAILWAY cross-border cooperation project, which aims to develop a joint strategic investment plan for the connection of Greece and Albania, through a new railway line west from Krystallopigi / Ieropigi to Pogradec and southeast to northeast approximately 130 km. ERGOSE SA, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania and OSE SA are participating in this project, with each of the aforementioned partners having undertaken the implementation of specific services and studies, the results of which will be used to feed the individual studies.
According to the provisions of the contract, the contractor will work closely with the participating partners, in order to provide the necessary data and information that will emerge from the studies for the implementation of the contract.
The works
In detail, the contractor undertakes to:
· Carry out the financial and socio-economic evaluation of the main investment options
· Carry out the Social Impact Analysis
· Choose the best investment strategy
· Prepare the Technical Implementation Guidelines
· Prepare the Management Plan for the Preparation of the Strategic Investment Plan
For the implementation of the contract, 85% funding is obtained from the European Union and 15% from national resources (PDO) of the countries participating in the “Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Program ‘Greece – Albania’ 2014 – 2020”. It is noted that according to the terms of the contract, the studies will be completed within five months, including the procedures of inspections, approvals and receipt of the contract.
The President and CEO of ERGOSE, Mr. Christos Vinis stated in this regard: “The signing of this agreement is the first step to complete the last part of the interconnection of Greece with Albania and the wider Balkan region and Of Europe. “This is a project of strategic importance that brings us one step closer to the emergence of Greece as a regional hub in the field of logistics and transport.”
