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Great Expectations: Trump’s Return Sparks Hope on All Sides in Divided Albania

Both the ruling Socialists and opposition conservatives spy potential dividends from a second Trump term in the White House. Original post Here

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Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration 

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania has officially approved Jared Kushner’s ambitious plans to transform the uninhabited Sazan Island into a luxury eco-resort.  The Albanian government’s Strategic Investments Committee granted strategic investor status to Kushner’s Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC late last month, just three weeks ahead of the return to …

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Albania signs €1bn deal with Italy and UAE on renewable energy, new undersea connection 

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania, Italy and the United Arab Emirates have signed a trilateral agreement to develop renewable energy infrastructure, marking a €1 billion investment to produce and share solar, wind and other clean energy resources.  The project will include an undersea cable linking Albania’s port of Vlorë …

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Emigration and Infrastructure Woes Hold Back Albania’s Olive Growers

Albania should be well-placed to take advantage of growing demand for olive oil amid rising prices, but poor roads and a lack of labour during harvest season are stifling the sector. Original post Here

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Albania Greenlights Jared Kushner Plan to Develop Island as Luxury Resort

The government has granted Strategic Investor Status to a proposal by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, to build a luxury resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan. Original post Here

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Albania’s Government Criticised for Pre-Election ‘Sweeteners’

Though not strictly in violation of the law, a string of generous gestures by Albania’s government appears designed to curry favour with large segments of the electorate ahead of parliamentary polls in May. Original post Here

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Often Unnoticed, Albania’s Graft Prosecutors are Targeting Mayors Too

Besides targeting political figures at the state level, special prosecutors in Albania are also going after mayors at the local level where corruption is often more prevalent. Original post Here

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Albania to Register Diaspora Voters for First Time Ahead of May Polls

New regulations will allow Albanians living outside the country to cast postal ballots in the May parliamentary elections – a change long sought by most parties. Original post Here

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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

Read More
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Albanian and North Macedonian MPs discuss climate and environmental challenges in Struga

The parliamentary committees on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora and on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development held a joint meeting in Struga, North Macedonia, on May 12-13. The OSCE organized the event. The meeting brought together MPs from Albania and North Macedonia, along with ambassadors and senior OSCE officials. During …

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Hoxha meets Swedish parliamentary delegation, discusses EU path

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today in Tirana with a delegation from the Swedish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Morgan Johansson. During the meeting, Hoxha praised Sweden’s continued support for Albania’s European Union integration process. He also highlighted Sweden’s contribution to Albania’s democratic, institutional and …

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Vengu meets Albanian students in North Macedonia, backs Albanian-language exams

Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu met with Albanian students in Struga and Tetovo during his two-day visit to North Macedonia. During the meetings, Vengu said Albanian students are not asking for ethnic privileges. Instead, he said they are demanding what he called “European normality” by seeking to take state exams …

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University of Arts honors sculptor Kristaq Rama, certificate received by Zaho Rama

The University of Arts marked its 60th anniversary today. It awarded certificates of appreciation to more than 30 personalities. These individuals contributed to the institution’s development. The ceremony took place in Tirana. Students, alumni, professors and cultural figures attended the event. Among the honorees was sculptor Kristaq Rama. He was …

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Albania–Sweden dialogue on EU integration, Balla: Goal to close negotiations by 2027

A parliamentary dialogue on EU enlargement between Albania and Sweden was held today in Tirana at the “House of Europe”. The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla said Albania is closer than ever to full EU membership. He stated that the country’s goal is to close accession …

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Koçiu: Measures in place for safe and successful tourism season

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu presented a package of measures in Saranda to ensure a safe and successful tourism season. She said Albania has seen a sharp increase in tourist numbers over the past five years. However, she stressed that the country has managed the flow without major problems. Moreover, …

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Peleshi: Albania–Turkey strategic partnership continues to strengthen

Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi met today with the new Turkish Ambassador to Albania Barış Ceyhun Erciyes. Peleshi said Albania and Turkey share a long-standing friendship and a consolidated strategic partnership. Moreover, he stressed that the relationship continues to strengthen in support of peace, security and economic development. In addition, …

News
Koçiu: Modern “Welcome Center” in Saranda blends infrastructure and tradition

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu visited the “Welcome Center” in Saranda, a multifunctional facility that will open soon. She said the project combines modern infrastructure and European standards with Albania’s tradition of hospitality. Moreover, Koçiu toured the new building together with Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi. The site includes 100 public …

News
Rama: “Koha Jonë” anniversary recalls era when free speech faced danger

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in an interview marking the 35th anniversary of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” and 29 years since its burning. The interview was conducted by publisher Nikollë Lesi. Rama said the conversation reflects a period when free speech, as he put it, was threatened under an …

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Rama: PD has “removed intellectuals from its system”

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview marking the 35th anniversary of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” and 29 years since its burning. The interview was conducted by publisher Nikollë Lesi. During the discussion, Rama commented on the political opposition. He focused on the Democratic Party. Moreover, he said the Democratic …

News

Albanian and North Macedonian MPs discuss climate and environmental challenges in Struga

The parliamentary committees on Culture, Tourism and Diaspora and on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development held a joint meeting in Struga, North Macedonia, on May 12-13. The OSCE organized the event. The meeting brought together MPs from Albania and North Macedonia, along with ambassadors and senior OSCE officials. During …

News

Hoxha meets Swedish parliamentary delegation, discusses EU path

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today in Tirana with a delegation from the Swedish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, led by Morgan Johansson. During the meeting, Hoxha praised Sweden’s continued support for Albania’s European Union integration process. He also highlighted Sweden’s contribution to Albania’s democratic, institutional and …

News

Vengu meets Albanian students in North Macedonia, backs Albanian-language exams

Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu met with Albanian students in Struga and Tetovo during his two-day visit to North Macedonia. During the meetings, Vengu said Albanian students are not asking for ethnic privileges. Instead, he said they are demanding what he called “European normality” by seeking to take state exams …

News

University of Arts honors sculptor Kristaq Rama, certificate received by Zaho Rama

The University of Arts marked its 60th anniversary today. It awarded certificates of appreciation to more than 30 personalities. These individuals contributed to the institution’s development. The ceremony took place in Tirana. Students, alumni, professors and cultural figures attended the event. Among the honorees was sculptor Kristaq Rama. He was …

News

Albania–Sweden dialogue on EU integration, Balla: Goal to close negotiations by 2027

A parliamentary dialogue on EU enlargement between Albania and Sweden was held today in Tirana at the “House of Europe”. The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla said Albania is closer than ever to full EU membership. He stated that the country’s goal is to close accession …

News

Koçiu: Measures in place for safe and successful tourism season

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu presented a package of measures in Saranda to ensure a safe and successful tourism season. She said Albania has seen a sharp increase in tourist numbers over the past five years. However, she stressed that the country has managed the flow without major problems. Moreover, …

News

Peleshi: Albania–Turkey strategic partnership continues to strengthen

Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi met today with the new Turkish Ambassador to Albania Barış Ceyhun Erciyes. Peleshi said Albania and Turkey share a long-standing friendship and a consolidated strategic partnership. Moreover, he stressed that the relationship continues to strengthen in support of peace, security and economic development. In addition, …

News

Koçiu: Modern “Welcome Center” in Saranda blends infrastructure and tradition

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu visited the “Welcome Center” in Saranda, a multifunctional facility that will open soon. She said the project combines modern infrastructure and European standards with Albania’s tradition of hospitality. Moreover, Koçiu toured the new building together with Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi. The site includes 100 public …

News

Rama: “Koha Jonë” anniversary recalls era when free speech faced danger

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in an interview marking the 35th anniversary of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” and 29 years since its burning. The interview was conducted by publisher Nikollë Lesi. Rama said the conversation reflects a period when free speech, as he put it, was threatened under an …

News

Rama: PD has “removed intellectuals from its system”

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview marking the 35th anniversary of the newspaper “Koha Jonë” and 29 years since its burning. The interview was conducted by publisher Nikollë Lesi. During the discussion, Rama commented on the political opposition. He focused on the Democratic Party. Moreover, he said the Democratic …