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Analysis: Imprisonment of opposition MP for making public accusations sets stage for new political reality in Albania

TIRANA, Oct. 1, 2024 – The recent conviction and imprisonment of Ervin Salianji, a prominent opposition MP in Albania, has ignited intense debates about the independence of the country’s judiciary and its implications for democracy as well as radicalized opposition action in parliament and on the streets. Salianji, a member …

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Albania and North Macedonia’s EU ‘Decoupling’ Causes Dismay in Skopje

Reports that the EU plans to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession talks, independently of North Macedonia, puts renewed scrutiny on Tirana’s true reform readiness, while risking deepening a sense of alienation in Skopje. Original post Here

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Omnipotence for the hour

This is the story of a young man who one day was granted unlimited power for one single hour. How or why this happened is not important. What’s important is that it did happen. Now, this young man happens to live in Albania, or Tirana to be exact. Lucky coincidence, …

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Albania Police Officers Feel Starved of Choice Over Food Coupons

After the government changed the way it compensates police officers for overtime, swapping cash for coupons, some complain that they are effectively forced to spend them in a single supermarket chain. Original post Here

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Is appointed the prosecutor who will execute the decision for Salianji

The lot is cast in the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana, where the prosecutor Elona Alvora has been assigned to execute the decision of the General Court of Appeal for the 1-year prison sentence of the democratic deputy Ervin Salianji. The order is expected to be delivered to the police, while …

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Salianji in prison, is revealed the document for the Democratic Party deputy

The request that the prosecutor’s office of the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana, Elona Alvora, has sent to the Assembly and the police for the execution of the decision for the democratic deputy, Ervin Salianji, is clarified, after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the First Instance for the …

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“I am a political prisoner”, Salianji before arrest: I will continue the denunciations

Democratic MP, Ervin Salianji, the last conference with journalists at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, awaiting his arrest, after the appeal upheld the sentence of 1 year in prison, for the “Babale” case. Salianji declared that he is a political convict and that he will go to prison as …

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Salianji: Ready to go to jail

The Democratic MP, Ervin Salianji held the last conference with journalists at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, awaiting his arrest, after the Appeal upheld the sentence of 1 year in prison, for the “Babale” case. Salianji stated that since Thursday, September 26, when Apeli received the decision, he communicated …

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New EU Line-Up, But No Quick Fix for Balkan Enlargement Woes

Supporters of EU enlargement to the Balkans may take heart from Ursula von der Leyen’s proposed new line-up at the European Commission, but it will take more than a change at the top to reinvigorate the stalled accession process. Original post Here

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‘Babale’ file/ Ervin Salianji declare guilty with one year in prison. MP: I’m ready to go to jail!

Court of General Appeal has given the decision to the deputy of the Democratic Party, Ervin Salianji, regarding the “Babale” file. It is known that the measure with one year of imprisonment was left in force. Immediately after the decision, the deputy spoke himself, who said that he will appeal. …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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“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
Government Transfers State Properties for Two Major Investment Projects in Palasë

The Council of Ministers has approved the transfer of state-owned properties to the Albanian Investment Corporation for the development of two projects in Palasë: the “Public Services Center Palasë” and “Copëzat”. The decision enables the Albanian Investment Corporation to act as the developer of state properties on behalf of the …

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 …

News

Government Transfers State Properties for Two Major Investment Projects in Palasë

The Council of Ministers has approved the transfer of state-owned properties to the Albanian Investment Corporation for the development of two projects in Palasë: the “Public Services Center Palasë” and “Copëzat”. The decision enables the Albanian Investment Corporation to act as the developer of state properties on behalf of the …