Exhibition of Prisoners’ Letters Sheds Light on Albania’s Communist-Era Jails
‘Letters From Hell’, an exhibition in Tirana, explores the grim conditions in two of Communist Albania’s most infamous prisons, Spac and Burrel, showcasing correspondence from some of the prisoners. Original post Here
Open Data Deficit Hinders Green Transition in Kosovo and Albania
Experts say a lack of open data when it comes to the environment is hindering the green transition in Albania and Kosovo. Original post Here
Albanian Opposition Protesters Block Roads in Six Towns
Albania’s opposition continued what it called its campaign of “civil disobedience” against Edi Rama’s government by blocking roads in six towns across the country. Original post Here
Albania Prosecution Orders Seizure of Suspected Hazardous Waste on Ship
After a ship refused entry to Thailand arrived back in Albania, prosecutors ordered the seizure of the cargo for examination. Original post Here
Using AI in Albanian Public Procurements ‘No Easy Solution’ for Corruption
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed using artificial intelligence in public procurement processes to tackle corruption – but experts argue that the root causes should be dealt with first. Original post Here
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Begins Balkan Tour to Enhance Services for “Guests of God”
Tirana, October 26, 2024 Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, has begun a four-day official visit to several Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. This visit is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Western Balkans and improve …
Albania Socialist Party MP Charged With Violating Procurement Rules
Ruling party MP Plarent Ndreca was charged with procurement-related offences allegedly committed four years ago during his time as general secretary at the Interior Ministry. Original post Here
Opposition Leaders’ Arrests May Signal Demise of Albania’s Old Political Class
The arrests of two important opposition leaders hopefully mark the end of one era – and the birth of a new one in which justice no longer cowers before corrupt politicians in a captured state. Original post Here
The State Agency for Innovation and Excellence – A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
You may have not heard of this, but there is a new State Agency for Innovation and Excellence in Albania. This was a collaborative effort from multiple international and domestic actors. Of note is the EU4Innovation program, which may have served as an important catalyst for this mobilization towards innovation …
Albania’s Ex-President Meta Traded Favours for Luxury Villa, Prosecutors Allege
Anti-corruption prosecutors in Albania say Ilir Meta, a former president, prime minister and parliament speaker, and his MP wife had a “corrupt relationship” with a prominent tycoon, trading favours for gifts including a luxury villa, Beyoncé concert tickets and lunch in London. Original post Here
Speaking on his podcast this Sunday, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania is closer than ever to the European Union, adding that the objective is achievable with commitment and determination. He stressed that the European Commission and the member states are currently in a phase of discussing the Commission’s …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”96c01ebe-b61e-4d9e-99e9-6d0616380871″ data-turn-id-container=”96c01ebe-b61e-4d9e-99e9-6d0616380871″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, paid a visit this Sunday to the village of Kallamas in the municipality of Pustec, where he attended the inauguration of a monument dedicated to Macedonian heroes of the Second World War. …
A spokesperson for the European Commission has reacted to statements made by the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, against the EU Ambassador to Tirana, describing them as unacceptable. In a statement to Euronews, the spokesperson emphasized that the European Union strongly condemns the personal attacks made on Europe …
The German Embassy in Tirana has published a message from the dean of the diplomatic corps of European Union member states, the Ambassador of Cyprus to Athens, Stavros Avgoustides, who also covers Albania. The published message contains a joint statement by EU Ambassadors accredited in Albania, emphasizing their full support …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his speech at the Socialist Party assembly in Elbasan, commented on the political situation in the country and Albania’s European integration process, while launching accusations against the opposition. Rama described the opposition as “an ambulant catastrophe,” stating that the vacuum created by it could be …
The chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, during a video message, accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of attempting, in what he called the Prime Minister’s “Sunday monologue,” to conceal the report of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Albania, by allegedly failing to mention any of the concerns …
The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, said in a speech delivered at the opening ceremony of Europe Week that strengthening the rule of law is the foundation of prosperity and the key to Albania’s integration into the EU. Gonzato stated that Albania, as a candidate country seeking membership …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that, for Albanians, Europe remains both a dream and a promised land because of the country’s long isolation from the rest of the world. “For us Albanians, Europe remains, even in these gloomy times, what it …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his speech at the opening of Europe Week that Albania’s path toward the European Union is difficult, but irreversible. Rama emphasized that the rule of law, as a guarantee ensured by the EU, cannot be negotiated. “If today we are confident about the progress …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-turn-id-container=”fff59cf8-973b-45ad-9994-a7bce15b632b” data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is expected to make her first official visit to Kosovo on Friday, May 15. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e00a4416-cd7f-4e71-ab3d-695465d210ed-8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-18″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> This was confirmed by unofficial sources within European institutions …