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USA and Albania toast the 248th Anniversary of US Independence Day

Courtesy of New York Magazine Erjola Braha, recently celebrated by Forbes Italia, presents Robert Mondavi’s wines at the official ceremony organized in Tirana on the occasion of US Independence Day. The United States Embassy in Tirana celebrated the 248th Anniversary of US Independence with a prestigious event, which saw the …

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 …

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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

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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

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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 …

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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 …