IDs distributed to Albanians

TIRANA, Jan 12 – At least 4,000 Albanians rushed to the post office and then to offices of the local authorities on Monday to fill out applications for new identity cards that will be distributed in a maximum of two weeks.
Albanians should get their new IDs no later than March or they may be deprived of many of their rights, such as not receiving their annual car checking confirmation or pensions and not receiving their monthly fund.
On Monday morning thousands of Albanians rushed to pay 1,200 leks and then to apply at the registration office and supply their finger prints, have a picture taken and sign their application.
The government has planned that all adults should receive the new IDs by the end of June when the country holds parliamentary elections.
Issuing the IDs is a main requirement along the country’s integration process into NATO and the European Union.
But Albanians will also receive an ID, something that they have been deprived of since the fall of communism 19 years ago.
They are also supposed to get their new biometric passports.
A French company will issue thousands of new IDs each day with all the security standards required by the European Union and the western world.