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Cashless Payments, Sejko: Cutting annual transaction costs by over ALL 500 million for consumers and around ALL 1 billion for businesses

  TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/ Albania is expected to take a significant step towards modernising its payment infrastructure through the regional TIPS Clone project, which will enable real-time fund transfers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In his address at the 8th International Conference on Regional Card Schemes and …

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Ibrahimaj: An additional 24 billion lekë has been allocated for indexation and increase of pensions in 2027

TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – While presenting the 2027 draft budget to the Committee on Health and Social Welfare, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj emphasized that the support for pensioners, improvement of their income and ensuring the sustainability of the social security system is a priority. “This program …

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Gogu: ALL 250 million earmarked for forensic hospital, construction to begin in early 2027

TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ Justice Minister Toni Gogu announced today that ALL 250 million have been allocated in the 2027 draft budget for the forensic hospital, with construction set to begin early next year. Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs during a presentation of the 2027 draft …

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National libraries of Albania and Hungary establish scientific and professional cooperation

TIRANA, November 4 /ATSH/ – The National Library of Albania and the National Széchényi Library of Hungary have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening professional, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two institutions. Attending the signing ceremony was Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Lira Pipa and …

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Tabaku: EC Progress Report highlights need for far-reaching institutional reform in Albania

TIRANA, Nov 4 /ATA/ Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku today commented on the European Commission’s annual Progress Report on Albania, stressing that the country needs far-reaching changes in the way its institutions and state function. Tabaku said the report “reveals some sad truths about Albania, showing that, beyond the rhetoric, passing …

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Recently completed mural in Art Park of Tirana pays tribute to women of Albanian Film Archive

TIRANA, November 4, ATSH/ A new mural dedicated to the women who have worked at the Central State Film Archive over the years has been completed in Tirana’s Art Park. This artwork—a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports and the Central State Film Archive—serves as a …

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Albania strengthens aviation emergency response with search-and-rescue drill

Albania will test its aviation emergency response capabilities today through a planned search-and-rescue exercise near Tirana International Airport. The drill, named SAR-2026, will run from 10:30 to 12:00. The National Search and Rescue Centre is organising the exercise with institutions responsible for aviation emergencies. Participants include the Armed Forces, Tirana …

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Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%

The Bank of Albania has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. The Supervisory Council announced the decision on November 3. Governor Gent Sejko also confirmed that the overnight deposit rate will remain at 1.5%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending rate will stay at 3.5%. Sejko said the decision reflects …

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FM Hoxha: Albania seeks merit-based European Union membership, not shortcuts

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended the international conference “EU Enlargement: Assessing New Concepts and the Outlook for 2027,” organised by the German Council on Foreign Relations. Hoxha said geopolitical realities had made enlargement a strategic and security necessity for Europe. However, he stressed that this …

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Albanian and Hungarian national libraries launch cultural cooperation

The National Library of Albania and Hungary’s National Szechenyi Library have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen professional, scientific and cultural ties. The signing ceremony brought together Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Lira Pipa and Hungarian Ambassador to Albania Martina Laura Kasnyik. The agreement provides for exchanges …