TIRANA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) will assist the development of the tourism sector in Albania with grants totaling 20 million euros (21.3 million U.S. dollars) since 2018, EU Ambassador to Albania Romana Vlahutin told reporters Sunday.
During a visit to the southeastern city of Korca, Vlahutin said that the bloc will provide the funds to four municipalities, namely, Korca, Berat, Fier (central Albania) and Shkodra (north Albania).
Four pilot projects will be carried out in the four municipalities. Through these grants, the EU aims at further tapping the tourism potential in these areas, the head of the EU delegation told reporters.
Accompanied by Korca mayor Sotiraq Filo and Deputy Prime Minister Niko Peleshi, the EU ambassador met with Korca entrepreneurs and local administrators to discuss ways to enhance cooperation.
During the meeting, Vlahutin presented the upcoming EU-funded competitiveness program for the municipality of Korca.
Strengthening capacities in the tourism sector, applications for EU funding, the improvement of Korca's tourism marketing and branding were some of the main topics which EU ambassador and local representatives talked about, EU delegation said in a press release.
