Ilir Beqaj, high Socialist official mired in corruption investigations, arrested for abuse of EU funds
TIRANA, July 4, 2024 – Ilir Beqaj, Albania’s former minister of health who has a history of holding important position in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of involvement in a corruption scheme to profit from funds from the Agency for the Coordination of Foreign Aid and …
Share Your Experience: Corruption in Albania’s Health Sector
Have you been asked to transfer your treatment from a public to a private hospital? Do you suspect that healthcare staff are illicitly profiting from your treatment? Have you been asked for a bribe by a medical professional? Tell us your story. Original post Here
Tourist season/ State Police: 378 arrested, 25 of them in the wanted list
The State Police has made the balance of the month, helping for a tourist season as safe as possible. It is known that 378 citizens were arrested and 25 of them were wanted internationally. So far, the Traffic Police has arrested 143 drivers, of which 104 for driving while intoxicated …
Independence of USA, Begaj: We share friendship and strengthened partnership towards democratic values
President Bajram Begaj congratulated July 4, the day of US Independence. In a post on social networks, Begaj emphasizes the joint commitment between Albania and the USA as strategic allies. “Albania and the U.S. share a friendship and partnership strengthened by a common commitment to democratic values. Together, as strategic …
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj arrested
The former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, was arrested this Thursday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that Beqaj was arrested for embezzling funds from the State Agency for Strategic Program and Aid Coordination, also known as SASPAC. Regarding this file, a few months ago, several checks were carried out …
CEC postpones the decision on the validity for the mandate of Fredi Beleri
Central Election Commission (CEC) has postponed the decision regarding the validity of the mandate of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri. “Regarding the time, I don’t believe we have the opportunity to do it today. We can probably organize it, it doesn’t have to come from the place of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, tribute to renowned writer Ismail Kadare
Tributes are being held in honor of Ismail Kadare, the well-known Albanian writer. Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the speech he is giving to the audience, said that Kadare feels protected by Mother Teresa, referring to the installation of the Albanian saint that stands next to the archmort of the …
25 police officers in Korça suspended for abuse with Frontex funds
Korça Prosecutor’s Office is criminally prosecuting 25 employees of the Korça Police Department and the Border and Migration Directorate. On the other hand, the court decides the suspension from duty of these employees. According to the Korca prosecutor’s office, the police officers are accused of abusing the funds in terms …
Chronicles and Fragments
The novels of Ismail Kadare. By James Wood Like Trieste or Lvov, the medieval city of Gjirokastër, in southern Albania, has passed its history beneath a sign perpetually rewritten, in different hands, but always with the same words: “Under New Management.” It enters the historical record in 1336, as a Byzantine …
A phone call not every writer wants
By Kristoffer Leandoer Every year he waits in vain by the phone on this very day, and a whole nation waits with him. Every year the Albanian people are equally surprised that Ismail Kadare has been passed over once again. The recently published “A dictator calls” (Counterpoint LLC), makes full use of …
TIRANA, April 27 – Spring has increased visitor numbers at Viroi Park in Gjirokastër. Camper travellers now stop there during trips in southern Albania. The park offers a quiet setting, clean air, and open space. It attracts visitors who seek nature and calm conditions. Meanwhile, Jolanda and Frans Koopman from …
TIRANA, April 27 – Kosovo’s parliament approved the draft law ratifying an agreement with Albania for the Mediterranean Games “Prishtina 2030”. Lawmakers voted 93 in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions. The agreement formalises cooperation between the two countries for the organisation of the Games. Opposition parties, including …
TIRANA, April 27 – Justice institutions signed an agreement to standardise statistics across the justice system. The Ministry of Justice, judicial and prosecutorial bodies, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the High Inspectorate of Justice, and the School of Magistrates took part. The EU Delegation in Albania attended the signing. Justice Minister …
TIRANA, April 27 – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Fatmir Guri described the cooperation protocol with Germany as an important and concrete step for aligning Albanian agriculture with European Union standards. He said the timing of the agreement matches Albania’s progress in the EU integration process. He also …
TIRANA, April 27 – The government and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party held their expanded end-of-month meeting. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaired the meeting, which also included members of the cabinet. PM Rama said the discussion focused on communication with party structures under the framework of “Affairs of …
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj meets Italian MP Giulio Cesare Sottanelli in the Parliament building. Sottanelli represents the “Azione” party. Gjekmarkaj thanks Italy for its long-standing support to Albania. He highlights Italy as a key and stable partner. He also praises the role of the Italian government, the Chamber …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha meets Izet Mexhiti, leader of the Democratic Movement and mayor of Çair. Mexhiti thanks Hoxha for the invitation. He stresses shared responsibility among Albanian leaders to strengthen ties between Albanians. He says Albanians in North Macedonia are an inseparable part of the …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha holds a joint press conference with Izet Mexhiti, leader of the Democratic Movement and mayor of Çair. Hoxha responds to media questions about claims of internal communication regarding Albanians in North Macedonia. He says recent debates are already over. He adds that …
The former head of the National Bureau of Investigation, Aida Hajnaj, has been appointed as the head of the Information Technology Department in the State Police. Sources indicate that the decision for her appointment was made by the Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari. According to the law on the State …
With 93 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions, the Assembly of Kosovo approved the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania for the Mediterranean Games Prishtina 2030. The Minister of Sports, Blerim Gashani, …