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Could Michigan’s Albanian-Americans Swing the Vote for Trump?

Albanian-American supporters of Donald Trump are campaigning hard in the swing state of Michigan, where their numbers could sway the result. But some fear the return of Trump’s controversial Balkan envoy Richard Grenell. Original post Here

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Moldova Should Learn from Albania’s Mistakes in Justice Reform

As EU hopeful Moldova embarks on a complex process of judicial reform and vetting to root out corruption, experts advise it to note what has gone right – and wrong – in Albania, which began the same process a decade ago. Original post Here

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Albania Opens EU Accession Negotiations, Seeks Membership by 2030

In Luxembourg on Tuesday, Albania opened its first negotiation ‘cluster’, with Prime Minister Edi Rama saying his country has its sights set on joining the European club by the end of the decade. Original post Here

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Digital Rights Review: Websites Promote and Profit from Abuse of Women

BIRN’s monitoring of digital rights violations in August and September highlighted a threatening Hungarian ‘dark web’ site that contained illegally obtained images of women, plus a series of arrests for online sexual abuse in Romania. Original post Here

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As Talks Begin, EU Chides Albania’s ‘Limited Progress’ in Tackling Corruption

As accession talks got underway, the EU ‘negotiating position’, published on Tuesday, says corruption remains “prevalent in most areas of public and business life, including in all branches of central and local government”. Original post Here

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Androulakis Wins Second Chance to Revive Greece’s Centre-Left Party

After his re-election as leader of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis promised that “the best things are ahead” – but only time will show whether he can win back the trust of Greek voters for the once-powerful party he has supported since his youth. Original post Here

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Albanian Police Arrest Two for Forcibly Exploiting Afghan Teenager

Police said they arrested two people for exploiting a 16-year-old from Afghanistan in the northern city of Shkodra, forcing him to work at a car service centre. Original post Here

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Albanian Govt Fails to Attract Bidders for New Durres Port

After no companies presented bids to redevelop the old Port of Durres as a marina with apartment blocks, the government’s plans for the site – which include building a new port – are in disarray. Original post Here

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Kosovo to Abolish Visas for Bosnian Citizens from 2025

At the Berlin Process Summit, Kosovo’s prime minister announced that his country will allow residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina to enter Kosovo only with ID cards – even if Bosnia does not do the same. Original post Here

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Feuding Leaders of Albania and Kosovo Quietly ‘Forget’ Joint Govt Meetings

The silent passage of the tenth anniversary of Albania-Kosovo intergovernmental meetings this year underscores a relationship at a historic low – but who is to blame for this rift remains disputed. Original post Here

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Sejko Warns Middle East Tensions Threaten Global and Albanian Economy

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, said that tensions in the Middle East remain a major source of risk for the global and Albanian economy. He stressed that the impact of the conflict depends on its duration and intensity. As a result, inflation risks rise, while economic …

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Bank of Albania Keeps Base Interest Rate Unchanged at 2.5%

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. Governor Gent Sejko announced the decision during a press conference. He also said the Council kept the overnight deposit rate unchanged at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%. The …

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VanHorn Praises Albania–US Defense Cooperation at Anniversary Ceremony

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Albania, Nancy VanHorn, attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces. She said the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces train together and strengthen each other. …

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President Begaj Welcomes AADF Chief Granoff and Discusses “Toka” Initiative

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met with Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), along with its executive directors. The discussion focused on the foundation’s latest projects. These projects aim to develop agriculture, tourism, education in artificial intelligence, and stronger links between diaspora researchers and Albanian institutions. …

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EU Ambassador Urges Wider Participation in Lawmaking in Albania

A meeting focused on improving lawmaking and increasing transparency took place today in Tirana. Participants included members of Parliament, state institutions, civil society, and international partners. The discussions focused on more inclusive processes. These processes aim to ensure wider participation and faster alignment with EU standards. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato …

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President Begaj Calls US Strategic Partnership Cornerstone of Albania’s Foreign Policy

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. He said the strategic partnership with the United States is a key pillar of Albania’s foreign policy and security. He described the cooperation as one of the …

News
Begaj Attends 25th Anniversary of Albania–US Military Cooperation

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. During the event, officials from Albania and the United States gathered alongside senior defense representatives. In his speech, Begaj stated that the strategic partnership with the United …

News
Gogu: French Justice Minister Visits Albania, a Signal of Trust in the European Path

The Minister of Justice, Toni Gogu, will welcome French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin in Tirana today. He said this is the first time a French Justice Minister has visited Albania. He described the visit as a strong signal of trust in Albania’s European justice reform path. Gogu said the visit …

News
Concert Celebrates 80th Birthday of Composer Shpëtim Kushta

The event was organized as part of the project “Nota mbi pentagram,” which was implemented by CEDI with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. During the concert, organizers presented a selection of Kushta’s works, and the program offered audiences an emotional artistic journey. Shpëtim Kushta, born in …

News
“Porta e Alpeve”: €50 Million Investment to Transform Shkodër–Shëngjin Tourism Corridor

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development approved a financial agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the “Porta e Alpeve” infrastructure project. The agreement provides a €50 million loan from the EIB to support infrastructure development in northern Albania. Deputy Minister of Finance Endrit Yzeiraj presented …

News

Sejko Warns Middle East Tensions Threaten Global and Albanian Economy

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, said that tensions in the Middle East remain a major source of risk for the global and Albanian economy. He stressed that the impact of the conflict depends on its duration and intensity. As a result, inflation risks rise, while economic …

News

Bank of Albania Keeps Base Interest Rate Unchanged at 2.5%

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. Governor Gent Sejko announced the decision during a press conference. He also said the Council kept the overnight deposit rate unchanged at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%. The …

News

VanHorn Praises Albania–US Defense Cooperation at Anniversary Ceremony

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Albania, Nancy VanHorn, attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces. She said the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces train together and strengthen each other. …

News

President Begaj Welcomes AADF Chief Granoff and Discusses “Toka” Initiative

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met with Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), along with its executive directors. The discussion focused on the foundation’s latest projects. These projects aim to develop agriculture, tourism, education in artificial intelligence, and stronger links between diaspora researchers and Albanian institutions. …

News

EU Ambassador Urges Wider Participation in Lawmaking in Albania

A meeting focused on improving lawmaking and increasing transparency took place today in Tirana. Participants included members of Parliament, state institutions, civil society, and international partners. The discussions focused on more inclusive processes. These processes aim to ensure wider participation and faster alignment with EU standards. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato …

News

President Begaj Calls US Strategic Partnership Cornerstone of Albania’s Foreign Policy

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. He said the strategic partnership with the United States is a key pillar of Albania’s foreign policy and security. He described the cooperation as one of the …

News

Begaj Attends 25th Anniversary of Albania–US Military Cooperation

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. During the event, officials from Albania and the United States gathered alongside senior defense representatives. In his speech, Begaj stated that the strategic partnership with the United …

News

Gogu: French Justice Minister Visits Albania, a Signal of Trust in the European Path

The Minister of Justice, Toni Gogu, will welcome French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin in Tirana today. He said this is the first time a French Justice Minister has visited Albania. He described the visit as a strong signal of trust in Albania’s European justice reform path. Gogu said the visit …

News

Concert Celebrates 80th Birthday of Composer Shpëtim Kushta

The event was organized as part of the project “Nota mbi pentagram,” which was implemented by CEDI with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. During the concert, organizers presented a selection of Kushta’s works, and the program offered audiences an emotional artistic journey. Shpëtim Kushta, born in …

News

“Porta e Alpeve”: €50 Million Investment to Transform Shkodër–Shëngjin Tourism Corridor

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development approved a financial agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the “Porta e Alpeve” infrastructure project. The agreement provides a €50 million loan from the EIB to support infrastructure development in northern Albania. Deputy Minister of Finance Endrit Yzeiraj presented …