European Political Community Summit in Tirana: Police Announce Road Closures on May 15–16, Alternative Routes for Citizens

News Tirana, 13/May/2025

The State Police has undertaken a series of measures to ensure public order and safety in the framework of the European Political Community Summit, which will be held in the capital on May 16, 2025.

The Director of the Department for Order and Public Safety, Chief Commissioner Rebani Jaupi, emphasized during a press conference: “We have taken all necessary measures to welcome, escort, secure, and successfully host our European guests.”

Jaupi added: “On this occasion, we once again ask for the understanding of the citizens of the capital and beyond, regarding the temporary restrictions on the movement of people and vehicles, which are essential to guarantee security and the smooth running of the summit in Tirana.”

Given the large number of high-level delegations attending, the State Police has planned and will implement the following measures:

I. CLOSURE OF THE SUMMIT AREA

On May 16, 2025, from 06:00 to 18:00, the entire perimeter of the square where the event will take place will be inaccessible to pedestrians and vehicles. The restricted area includes the following roads:

From the intersection with “Zhan d’Ark” Boulevard to the intersection with “Myslym Shyri” Street;
The segment of “Myslym Shyri” Street from the intersection with “Ibrahim Rugova” Street to the intersection with “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard;
“Ibrahim Rugova” Street from the intersection with “Myslym Shyri” to the intersection with “Kavaja” Street;
“Ded Gjo Luli” Street;
“Urani Pano” Street continuing on “Barrikada” Street up to the intersection with “George W. Bush” Street;
“Zogu I” Boulevard up to the former Circus tunnel.

Based on this restricted area, the following traffic diversions will apply:

“Zogu I” Boulevard, in the direction of “Skanderbeg Square”, will be diverted at the Ministry of Justice;
“Durrës” Street will be diverted at the Ministry of Education and Sports;
“Kavaja” Street will be diverted at the “Tymi” traffic light;
“Myslym Shyri” Street will be diverted at the junction with “Sami Frashëri” Street;
“Dibra” Street at “Selvia” and “Hoxha Tahsim” Street will be diverted at the intersection with “Tefta Tashko” Street.

II. ROAD AXIS CLOSURES

Full road closures:

For security reasons related to the passage of delegations arriving from “Mother Teresa” Airport (and from other border crossing points: Hani i Hotit and Morina) toward Tirana:

a. On May 14, 2025, from 22:00 to 23:00, there will be a full closure of vehicle movement on the road axis:
“Mother Teresa” Airport Rinas – Entrance to the new “Thumanë-Kashar” highway – “Tirana-Durrës” Highway – Kashar Overpass – former “Shqiponja” Square intersection – New Ring Road, Astir branch – “Pallati me Shigjeta” intersection – Old Sauk Roundabout – Elbasani Street – Hotel Plaza (route for arrivals from the airport into Tirana).

b. On May 15, 2025, from 08:00 to 24:00, there will be full closures of vehicle movement during the intervals of delegation movements on the road axis:
“Mother Teresa” Airport Rinas – Entrance to the new “Thumanë-Kashar” highway – “Durrës-Tirana” Highway – Kashar Overpass – former “Shqiponja” Square intersection – New Ring Road, Astir branch – “Pallati me Shigjeta” intersection – Old Sauk Roundabout – Elbasani Street – Hotel Plaza – George W. Bush Street – 28 Nëntori Street – Dibra Street – Urani Pano Street – Skanderbeg Square (summit venue).

c. On May 16, 2025, from 06:30 to 11:30, there will be a full road closure for vehicle movement on the axis:
“Mother Teresa” Airport Rinas – Entrance to the new “Thumanë-Kashar” highway – “Durrës-Tirana-Durrës” Highway – Kashar Overpass – former “Shqiponja” Square intersection – New Ring Road, Astir branch – “Pallati me Shigjeta” intersection – Old Sauk Roundabout – Elbasani Street – Hotel Plaza – George W. Bush Street – 28 Nëntori Street – Dibra Street – Urani Pano Street – Skanderbeg Square (summit venue).

d. On May 16, 2025, from 13:00 to 18:00, there will be a full road closure on the following axis:
Skanderbeg Square – George W. Bush Street – Elbasani Street – Old Sauk Roundabout – New Ring Road, Astir branch – “Tirana-Durrës” Highway – new “Thumanë-Kashar” highway – “Mother Teresa” Airport Rinas.

Note: Road closures will be in place in both directions during the passage of delegations.

Due to these closures during the specified hours, citizens and vehicle drivers are requested to follow police instructions and use alternative roads as suggested:

a. For access to Rinas Airport, the following axes will remain accessible:
– Secondary roads of the “Tirana-Qafë Kashar-Rinas” highway;
– Northern Ring Road, branches “Paskuqan – Institut – Kamëz – Domje – Laknas – Rinas”;

b. For the Astir area, accessible routes include:
– Underpass at “Pallati me Shigjeta”;
– Overpass of “Teodor Keko” Road – Overpass at “Shqiponja” Square – connecting branches to secondary roads.

c. For the Student City area, “Qamil Guranjaku” Street, and the German villas block, access is available via alternate exits to “Bajram Curri” Boulevard, in the direction of Bryli.

d. For entry/exit to Shefqet Ndroqi Hospital, at the Sanatorium Roundabout, detours will be implemented depending on delegation schedules, with occasional access via “Pasho Hysa” Street, toward “Ali Demi” Street.

III. PARKING RESTRICTIONS

– In designated streets across the capital, parking and vehicle stops will be prohibited temporarily. This measure will be in force throughout the summit day.
– Vehicles violating this order will be towed, and administrative penalties will be applied to drivers.

On May 15–16, 2025, the following public/private parking areas will be inaccessible:
– In Rinas: 2 VIP parking areas and 2 private parking areas opposite the VIP zone.
– In Tirana: Underground parking at Skanderbeg Square, Hotel Plaza, Hotel Tirana, Torre Drini building, Toptani Shopping Center, and Green Tower.

In light of these restrictions, citizens are advised to avoid using personal vehicles when traveling to “Mother Teresa” Airport.

I. PARTIAL RESTRICTIONS

There will be traffic restrictions in the areas surrounding the venues where summit activities will take place. On May 15–16, 2025, there will be temporary vehicle movement restrictions on the following road segments:
1. Hotel “MAK Albania” – Air Albania Stadium – “Dervish Hima” Street – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue;
2. Hotel “Marriot” – “Dervish Hima” Street – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue;
3. Hotel “Rogner” – “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard – “Gjergj Filipi” Street – “Dervish Hima” Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue;
4. Hotel “Plaza” – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue, Tirana International Hotel as part of the summit;
5. Hotel “Xheko Imperial” – “Ibrahim Rugova” Street – “Lek Dukagjini” Street – “Dervish Hima” Street – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue;
6. Hotel “Radisson” – “Hamdi Garunja” Street – “Ullishte” Street – Dry Lake Road – Outer Ring (Unaza e Madhe) – Sauk – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – Skanderbeg Square (summit venue);
7. Hotel “Hilton” – “Gjergj Fishta” Boulevard – Kavaja Street – Outer Ring – Sauk – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – summit venue;
8. Hotel “Ark Boutique” – “Ibrahim Rugova” Street – “Abdyl Frashëri” Street – “Gjergj Filipi” Street – “Dervish Hima” Street – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – Skanderbeg Square (summit venue);
9. Hotel “Diplomat 1” – “Sulejman Delvina” Street – “Abdyl Frashëri” Street – “Gjergj Filipi” Street – “Dervish Hima” Street – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street – “28 Nëntori” Street – Dibra Street – “Urani Pano” Street – Skanderbeg Square (summit venue);
10. Hotel “Holiday Inn”, Rinas – Qafë Kashar Overpass – Tirana-Durrës Highway – Kashar Overpass – former “Eagle” Square intersection – New Ring Road (Astir side) – “Pallati me Shigjeta” intersection – Old Sauk Roundabout – Elbasan Street – Hotel “Plaza” (route from the airport into the city of Tirana);
(These restrictions will apply on May 15, according to movement schedules, and on May 16, 2025, from 08:00 to 11:00.)
1. On May 15, 2025, from 19:00 to 24:00, there will be partial restrictions on the axis:
  Elbasan Street – Sauk Roundabout – Highway – “TEG” Roundabout – State Reserves.
V. STOPPING AND PARKING PROHIBITED

– On May 15 and 16, 2025, between 06:00–20:00, parking and vehicle stopping will be prohibited from the “Ekonomiku” roundabout – Elbasan Street – “George W. Bush” Street and in the entire perimeter of the diverted zone.

Call for Public Cooperation

Jaupi called on citizens for understanding and cooperation: “We also invite you to avoid unnecessary movement in the restricted areas and to follow the signage and instructions of police officers on duty.

For updated information, you may follow the announcements on the official website of the State Police and our social media channels, or call 112 for any further needs or information,” stated Jaupi.