TIRANA (Albania), October 4 (SeeNews) – Albania's government does not welcome the potential entry of state-run Telekom Serbia on its telecommunications market through the purchase of Telekom Albania, Tirana-based media reported.
Although a decision lies with the companies, the entry of Telekom Serbia in the Albania’s telecommunications market may bring reactions that could negatively affect the company itself, Top Channel TV station quoted Albanian government sources as saying on Wednesday following a meeting of representatives of the Serbian company with Albanian infrastructure ministry officials.
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The Albanian government prefers investors with a different profile in this highly sensitive strategic sector but remains open to Serbian investments in all areas of the economy, the sources said.
The government cannot stop a deal between Telekom Albania and Telekom Serbia if the two companies reach an agreement, because it has no ownership rights in Telekom Albania, according to the sources, Top Channel said.
Deutsche Telekom, indirect owner of Telekom Albania through Greece's OTE group, is considering the possibility of leaving Albania, Top Channel reported on Sunday. Two Bulgarian companies and Telekom Serbia have entered the race for the acquisition of Telekom Albania, with the Serbian company said to be in an advantageous position, according to the media report. Top Cnannel not name the Bulgarian companies.
Telekom Serbia has confirmed that it has placed a bid for the acquisition of Telekom Albania, according to Serbian media reports.
Telekom Serbia's interest in buying the second largest operator in Albania proves its intention to become a regional leader in the telecommunications sector, public broadcaster RTS quoted sources from Telekom Serbia as saying on Sunday.
The decision of Telekom Serbia to join the race for Telekom Albania is positive but it is too early to speak about the outcome of the tender because the competitors are still unknown, Kurir news daily quoted Serbia's trade minister Rasim Ljajic as saying on Tuesday.
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