The construction of Vermice – Merdar highway, connecting Kosovo to Albania in the south and to Serbia in the north, started with a symbolic ceremony in the border village of Vermice.

Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Albania as well as the President of the Republic of Kosovo participated in the ceremony. Ambassadors of many foreign countries accredited in Prishtina and many local representatives were also present in the ceremony.

Contractor of this project is the American-Turkish consortium, "Bechtel-Enka”, while the value of the contract is €700 million.

Constructing this highway is seen by experts as the largest step of Kosovo after the declaration of independence more than two years ago. The highway will link Kosovo to the Albanian port of Durres and the Adriatic Sea and its economic impact for Kosovo and the region is expected to be very significant.