Re: Anglia dhe SHBA: Shqipëria, rrezik terrorist
<span style="font-weight: bold">Mesazhi i meposhtem eshte marre nga faqja zyrtare e ministrise se jashtme angleze, Foreign Office</span>
Still Current at: 20 December 2002
Updated: 25 November 2002
Albania
SUMMARY
Most visits to Albania are trouble-free. We advise against all travel in the North East Border areas between Albania and Kosovo. Visitors should note other areas to avoid under 'local travel'. Following recent developments, including the terrorist bombing of a night club in Bali on 12 October, UK nationals world-wide should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Security has improved considerably in Albania since the disturbances of 1997/8, but crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas. Although there have been no serious attacks on the expatriate community, visitors should be vigilant about personal security, dress modestly and not display expensive items such as watches and cameras. Central Tirana is generally trouble-free during the day. Visitors should avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
Visitors should be aware that security at Tirana’s Rinas airport is not up to the standards of western Europe, although international carriers do fly to and from Tirana.
LOCAL TRAVEL
We advise against all travel in the North East Border areas between Albania and Kosovo. In addition to other risks, many parts of the land route from central Albania to Kosovo are in very poor condition, and the route is not recommended. There is still the possibility of threats from armed criminal gangs in the far north.
The areas around Tirana, Durres and Saranda are relatively trouble-free, but visitors should avoid travelling at night. In general, visitors should be aware of the risks of assault or robbery (including armed robbery) when travelling, whether by car or public transport.
ROAD SAFETY
Driving can be very hazardous, as roads are poor, especially (but not only) in rural areas and driving standards are very erratic. Four wheel drive vehicles are advisable, even in towns. Drivers are advised to beware of unmarked large potholes. Widespread flooding in September resulted in many regions suffering damage to their road and bridge infrastructure. Additional caution is advised.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
British passport holders are obliged to pay a US$10 entry and a US$10 exit tax. The entry tax will be waived for residents for future travel to Albania provided a resident permit has been obtained. The Government has also announced plans to waive taxes for tourists during the 2002 summer season.
British citizens are permitted to remain in Albania for 30 days on entry without a visa. Thereafter they must decide to either apply for a residence permit or leave the country. If staying in Albania for more than 30 days, visitors should present themselves to their local police station 10 days before the expiry of the initial 30 days permit of stay. The Albanian authorities insist that a UK police report, stating that an applicant does not have a criminal record, must be submitted with the resident permit application form. A family seeking to take up residence must additionally provide notarised birth and marriage certificates. British nationals should contact the British Embassy for details.
As the British Embassy does not have the facility to issue passports visitors are advised to renew passports in the UK before travelling to Albania. However, British passport applications can be lodged at the British Embassy for dispatch to the British Embassy in Rome. The applicant should allow 3-4 weeks for receipt of the new passport.
HEALTH
Drink only bottled water and UHT milk. Medical facilities are very poor, particularly outside Tirana. Dental facilities are not recommended. All visitors must ensure they have adequate medical insurance, which should include evacuation by air ambulance.
There are high levels of Hepatitis in Albania. Rabies is also a matter of concern as there are large numbers of stray dogs, although there are no reports of Rabies in Tirana at present. Visitors should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A, B and Rabies before travelling to Albania. Cases of tick borne encephalitis have been reported in the north of Albania. Vaccination is available but, in any case, travellers are advised to keep all areas of the body covered when close to shrubs or bushes, and to inspect themselves regularly for ticks.
GENERAL
As well as medical insurance it is also advisable to have cover for cancelled flights and unexpected losses such as stolen cash, credit cards, passport or luggage.
Cheques and credit cards are not widely accepted in Albania, although some credit cards are accepted by the bigger international hotels in Tirana. Foreigners have been the victims of credit card frauds, and visitors may prefer to use cash. Most transactions in Albania are done on a strictly cash only basis using the Lek. There are numerous bureaux de change in the major towns and cities where Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted for exchange. Although street money changers operate openly, visitors are advised to use banks or established bureaux de change. Most large hotels will only accept hard currency from international travellers.
<span style="font-weight: bold"> Pra sic e shihni, qeveria britanike nuk i thote qytetareve te vet qe te mos vizitojne Shqiperine, por vetem i paralajmeron per gjera qe normalisht ndodhin edhe ne disa shtete te tjera te Europes lindore, pra nuk ka pse ta beni me te madhe faktin qe qeveria britanike paralajmeron qytetaret e saj per rreziqe te mundshme, pasi e ka per detyre, si cdo qeveri ne bote, qe te mbroje qytetaret e saj. Lini gazetat italiane se vetem per thashatheme jane, po te ishte se do ishim klasifikuar ne vende qe mbeshtesin terrorrizmin, do kishim pasoja, derisa nuk kemi te tilla, dmth qe nuk jemi.</span>
