Computer problems are a regular occurrence at the Greek customs
GJIROKASTER, Nov. 12 – Long lines and frayed nerves returned to the Greek-Albanian border crossings earlier in the week as Greek customs closed the border for several hours at the largest border crossing between Albania and Greece, citing technical difficulties with their computer system.
The Kakavija border point did not work for mare then six hours, bringing long lines well into the evening ours. The Greek border officials told those on the scene that a faulty computer system linking the Greek border network with the central server in Athens had forced the closure.
The computer system is needed to verify the documents of travelers and vehicles.
Blocking the border points due to computer problems is a regular occurrence for the Greek officials, with some arguing it is due to lack of investment in the system as part of the financial crisis the country is under. Labor disputes between the border guard union and state over pay have also resulted in random walkouts.
Albanian travelers have also complained in the past that there is a suspicious rise in computer problems at the border every time there problems in the political relations between the two countries.
Albanians have been immigrating to their wealthier EU member neighbor since the fall of communist, but the financial crisis has stemmed the flow. Latest data from Greece’s population and housing census in 2011 show Albanian migrants are the largest group of foreigners in Greece with a 53 percent share or around 481,000.
