THE DURRES - KUKES HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION IMPACT ON ALBANIAN AND KOSOVO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The Durres – Kukes – Morine highway, also known as the “Nation’s Highway”, is one of the most controversial roads built in recent years. 
This happens because of its high costs and therefore especially the great value and importance that it has. It not only connects our two 
nations, Albania and Kosovo, which has a huge patriotic impact, but it also has a positive impact on the region by serving as a link of trade 
between the Balkan countries and the countries of the Mediterranean Sea and Adriatic. The core of this paper is to present the importance 
of the role of this highway in fulfilling the goals and purposes for which it was created.  This project will be divided into two building blocks: 
In the first building block will be discussed some of the characteristics of this road and the benefits Albania, its economy and Albanians will 
gain from it. In the second block the Kosovo’s benefits will be discusses and also the further projects that will reinforce the relation and the 
connection between the two countries. The Gravity Model of Trade will have a major and great role in this paper. It will be used to study 
and to evaluate the importance of the highway in the economic benefits of these countries.