
If you come to visit Albania you will see how peaceful the Albanians are
and that contrary to what most people believe it is a secure country with one of the
lowest crime rate. Look at what is saying Lonely Planet Guide to Albania “This sunny
slice of mountains and southern European easy living has been ground down by years
of totalitarianism. But the new Albania packs a wild punch of traditional
Mediterranean charm, delightfully hospitable people and a madly colorful art-driven
renaissance in the capital, Tirana.” Furthermore, The New York Times newspaper has
included Albania on its list of main holiday destinations. “The country offers a
wealth of attractions, including sandy white Mediterranean beaches, rocky mountains,
fertile plains, lakes, natural monuments and remote, pristine areas Ruins and
archaeological treasures reflect a rich history dating back to the Illyrians”. The
BBC World service is received and Radio France International program are also
transmitted locally.
Transportation and Utilities are quite low. GSM and roaming are expensive. ADSL
permanent Internet access at 30€/month is acceptable. Groceries price are reasonably
low considering that most of the products are import. Conad (Italy) and Euromax
(Albania) are the two largest supermarkets. Nevertheless foreigners living in
Albania are used to say that going to restaurant is cheaper than cooking home! Good
restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine are all over. Prices vary from the quality of
the restaurants, but are generally between 5€ - 10$ per person.
Albania signed the SAA (Stabilization and Association Agreement) in June 2006. The
SAA represents an important economic and political opportunity and marks the
beginning of a new phase in the EU’s relations with Albania paving the way of EU
membership in 2014.