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Repatriated Albanians Find New Routes Back to Britain

The flow of migrants from Albania to Britain has dropped dramatically since 2022, but some repatriated Albanians have found new ways to achieve their dream, one that often ends in prolonged illegality. Original post Here

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Albanian Activists Condemn Govt ‘Trick’, Paving Way for Investments in Protected Areas

Edi Rama’s government is attempting to radically change the law on protected areas, paving the way for construction for ‘strategic purposes’ and skipping the public consultation process. Original post Here

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Book Review – Enver Hoxha’s Long Shadow: Travels in Albania

John Watkins’ new travelogue offers an intriguing snapshot of a country still scarred by the legacy of its brutal dictator. Original post Here

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Albania Legalizes Online Sports Betting, Overturning 2018 Ban

After banning sports betting in 2018, Albania’s parliament has voted to permit it once again – in online form only, and under the management of ten selected companies. Original post Here

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EU Urges Albania to Rethink Planned Changes to Protected Areas

Letter from the Head of the EU Delegation in Tirana expresses concern that planned changes to the law on national parks could result in ‘large tourism and industrial investments’ in areas whose biodiversity needs protection. Original post Here

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Albanian Gang Killings Spur Calls for Better Prevention

Albania is being blighted by gangland killings and the authorities appear helpless to act, experts say. Original post Here

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Albanian Socialists ‘Fishing for Votes’ to Pardon Corrupt Officials

Ruling Socialists face accusations that they are the real movers behind an opposition MP’s proposal to widen an amnesty to include officials sentenced for corruption and organised crime. Original post Here

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Turkey-Albania Media Deal Risks ‘Exporting Erdogan’s Propaganda’ – Experts

New media cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday may well strengthen Turkish government propaganda in the Albanian media, experts warn. Original post Here

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BIRN Film Recounts Albanian Artist’s Repression by Communist Regime

BIRN’s documentary ‘Painting in Darkness’, telling the story of an artist who was imprisoned as a political dissident and whose works were confiscated by Albania’s repressive Communist regime, was premiered in Tirana. Original post Here

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Defendants’ Portraits Shed Light on Political Trials in Communist Albania

An exhibition of 150 photographs of ‘enemies of the state’ who were prosecuted for political reasons at trials held in cinemas offers a fresh insight into the injustices of Communist-era Albania. Original post Here

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Cup of Albania semifinals reach decisive second legs with final spot at stake

TIRANA, April 21 – The second legs of the Albanian Cup semifinals take place this week, with both ties finely balanced after 1-1 draws in the first matches. Elbasani hosts Egnatia on Wednesday, while Vllaznia meets Dinamo City on Thursday. Elbasan Arena stages the first fixture at 19:00 local time. …

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Albania targets 900 agrifood facilities in EU accession food safety push

TIRANA, April 21 – Albania has launched inspections of more than 900 agrifood facilities as part of efforts to align food safety standards with the European Union. Minister of State and chief EU membership negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka said the process forms part of accession talks and broader sector reform. Officials …

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PM Rama: European standards in food safety a challenge to achieve in EU membership negotiation process

TIRANA, April 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said food safety represents one of the toughest challenges in Albania’s European Union accession talks. He made the remarks during a meeting with food business operators in Tirana. Rama linked food safety reforms directly to Albania’s goal of EU membership within the …

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Rama: Food safety, the most complex challenge of the EU integration process

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Tuesday with food business operators, where he emphasized the importance of the European Union accession process as a key challenge for ensuring food safety in the country. Rama described food safety as one of the most difficult challenges of the negotiations, stressing …

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“We have provided €12.5 million for food safety,” Gonzato: Quality improvement a condition for the EU

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, during a meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of the food business sector, stated that food safety is an important area for Albania’s progress toward the EU, as it is directly linked to access to the European market. He underlined …

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Food safety, Rama: 900 businesses risk closure if they fail to meet EU standards

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with food business operators, where he emphasized that food safety is one of the most difficult and complex challenges in the process of European Union accession. The Prime Minister stated that 900 food-related businesses operating in the country risk closure or exclusion from …

News
Rama visits Greece, to attend the Delphi Economic Forum; meeting also with Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Greece at the invitation of the Delphi Economic Forum, which will take place from April 21 to 23. Rama will hold a meeting with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, deepening economic …

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Record state budget revenues, €240 million more than last year

Revenues from taxes and customs have increased by around €240 million at the beginning of this year. VAT and social contributions have recorded the most significant growth. The state budget collected approximately 205 billion ALL in the first three months of the year. This figure is about 24 billion ALL, …

News
U.S. Ambassador to NATO visits Kosovo, welcomed by Anu Prattipati

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, welcomed on Tuesday the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, during his visit. Through a post on “X,” the U.S. Embassy in Pristina stated that this visit is an opportunity to discuss shared security interests. …

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Haxhiu meets U.S. representative to NATO: America’s support vital for Kosovo

The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received on Tuesday the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew G. Whitaker. It is reported that the two interlocutors discussed current political developments, security in the Kosovo region, and the importance of close coordination among allies in facing the …

News

Cup of Albania semifinals reach decisive second legs with final spot at stake

TIRANA, April 21 – The second legs of the Albanian Cup semifinals take place this week, with both ties finely balanced after 1-1 draws in the first matches. Elbasani hosts Egnatia on Wednesday, while Vllaznia meets Dinamo City on Thursday. Elbasan Arena stages the first fixture at 19:00 local time. …

News

Albania targets 900 agrifood facilities in EU accession food safety push

TIRANA, April 21 – Albania has launched inspections of more than 900 agrifood facilities as part of efforts to align food safety standards with the European Union. Minister of State and chief EU membership negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka said the process forms part of accession talks and broader sector reform. Officials …

News

PM Rama: European standards in food safety a challenge to achieve in EU membership negotiation process

TIRANA, April 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said food safety represents one of the toughest challenges in Albania’s European Union accession talks. He made the remarks during a meeting with food business operators in Tirana. Rama linked food safety reforms directly to Albania’s goal of EU membership within the …

News

Rama: Food safety, the most complex challenge of the EU integration process

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Tuesday with food business operators, where he emphasized the importance of the European Union accession process as a key challenge for ensuring food safety in the country. Rama described food safety as one of the most difficult challenges of the negotiations, stressing …

News

“We have provided €12.5 million for food safety,” Gonzato: Quality improvement a condition for the EU

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, during a meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of the food business sector, stated that food safety is an important area for Albania’s progress toward the EU, as it is directly linked to access to the European market. He underlined …

News

Food safety, Rama: 900 businesses risk closure if they fail to meet EU standards

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with food business operators, where he emphasized that food safety is one of the most difficult and complex challenges in the process of European Union accession. The Prime Minister stated that 900 food-related businesses operating in the country risk closure or exclusion from …

News

Rama visits Greece, to attend the Delphi Economic Forum; meeting also with Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Greece at the invitation of the Delphi Economic Forum, which will take place from April 21 to 23. Rama will hold a meeting with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, deepening economic …

News

Record state budget revenues, €240 million more than last year

Revenues from taxes and customs have increased by around €240 million at the beginning of this year. VAT and social contributions have recorded the most significant growth. The state budget collected approximately 205 billion ALL in the first three months of the year. This figure is about 24 billion ALL, …

News

U.S. Ambassador to NATO visits Kosovo, welcomed by Anu Prattipati

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, welcomed on Tuesday the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, during his visit. Through a post on “X,” the U.S. Embassy in Pristina stated that this visit is an opportunity to discuss shared security interests. …

News

Haxhiu meets U.S. representative to NATO: America’s support vital for Kosovo

The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received on Tuesday the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew G. Whitaker. It is reported that the two interlocutors discussed current political developments, security in the Kosovo region, and the importance of close coordination among allies in facing the …