TIRANA (Albania), February 25 (SeeNews) – Albania’s president Ilir Meta refused to sign into law a bill extending to 35 years from 22 years the concession of the Mother Teresa international airport in Tirana, local media reported.
The law was returned to parliament because it violates the Albanian constitution and legitimates corruption, Albanian Daily News quoted Meta as saying on Wednesday.
Albania's parliament endorsed earlier in February the government's proposal to extend the airport concession by 13 years.
The Albanian government proposed the extension on account of an investment plan announced by the concessionaire. The original contract would expire in April 2027.
Tirana International Airport (TIA) company, which holds the concession to operate the Mother Teresa airport, said in January it plans to invest approximately 100 million euro ($122.3 million) in the improvement of the airport's infrastructure. Albanian diversified group Kastrati acquired TIA from Chinese Real Fortress Private Limited for 71 million euro in December.
($ = 0.8174 euro)