New rules to push taking new passports
TIRNA, Aug 11 – The government may soon bring decide that the old passports cannot be used to receive a series of services in public offices.
Authorities have already said that the existing passports will be valid until Jan. 1, 2011.
But besides that the new decision, which the local media reports is being prepared by the government, will not let people receive any document using the old passport or the old identity cards or certificates.
That is another effort by the authorities to push the people to go and apply for the new identity card and the new biometric passport as soon as possible.
That is a precondition for the country which is looking for a visa free relationship with European Union member countries.
Deputy Interior Minister Ferdinand Poni said that they have already prepared a draft law on the validity of the passports but it was up to the government to decide when to put it into effect.
The lack of biometric passports was a main shortcoming that Brussels stated was why Albania was not included together with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia in a new visa free regime starting next year. They said they will reconsider Albania’s case, together with that of Bosnia, in the summer next year.
Authorities have also made it clear that Albania will enjoy the visa free regime that will be valid only with the new biometric passports and not the old ones.
