Distribution of new IDs suspended

TIRANA, Jan 13 – Unpaid bills was the reason why the sale of new IDs to thousands of Albanians was temporarily suspended Tuesday and should resume again on Thursday.
Albanians rushed to apply for new identity cards and biometric passports, a key requirement for future visa-free travel to the EU.
Government workers must apply by February 25 or they won’t be able to draw their wages. Pensioners have until March 25 to put in their applications, while students will not be allowed to sit for their final exams this year if they haven’t applied for the new identity cards.
The new IDs cost 10 euro. But the government said Monday, immediately after the start of the process, the price was half for pensioners, a little bit less for students and one-third for socially assisted persons.