US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission
International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …
Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking
Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …
Albania battles 43 wildfires as 13 remain active
The Ministry of Defence reported 43 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Of these, 13 remain active, while eight are under monitoring and 22 have been extinguished. Meanwhile, 697 local and municipal emergency personnel took part in firefighting and monitoring operations. In addition, they used 68 firefighting vehicles …
UNOPS and Albania join forces to modernise public procurement
The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and UNOPS have signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana. The agreement is called “Procuring Together for a European Albania”. It aims to strengthen strategic purchasing. It also seeks to improve public procurement. OBP Administrator Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement. Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS …
Rama gathers ministers and Socialist leaders to set priorities for new parliamentary session
Prime Minister Edi Rama will meet political leaders and ministers at noon today, September 9, on the outskirts of Tirana. The meeting will focus on the Socialist Party’s priorities for the new parliamentary session. It will also address the government’s new political agenda. Meanwhile, Rama is expected to renew his …
Peleshi meets EU ambassador: EU membership is a natural aspiration for Albanians
Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met today with the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa. They discussed Albania’s path towards EU membership and the work ahead in the integration process. Peleshi said EU membership remains a natural aspiration for Albanians. He also stressed the country’s institutional …
Under New Law, Albania’s Mountains Risk Same Fate as Coast, Critics Say
While all eyes are on the damage caused by tourism construction on Albania’s coast, the government has passed a law designed to boost investment in the mountains too, much to the concern of environmentalists. Original post Here
Duka Meets Trump Special Envoy Paolo Zampolli to Discuss Sports Diplomacy
President of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) Armand Duka met today with Paolo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. Zampolli is visiting Tirana as part of a wider tour. During his visit, he has met representatives of state institutions, political leaders and other stakeholders in Albania. …
Nufi Meets Jeffers: Albania and US Determined to Deepen Defense Cooperation
Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi met today with Major General Jasper Jeffers, Commander of the US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) and Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. During the meeting, the two sides highlighted the importance of the close Albania-US partnership in defense and security. “Our …
Begaj Calls for Cooperation as New Parliamentary Session Begins: “Responsibility for Albania Is Shared”
President Bajram Begaj called for cooperation, commitment and dialogue as Albania opened its new parliamentary session today. Begaj urged political forces to work together even when they disagree. He said they should always focus on the country’s interests. “Political mandates and beliefs differ, but our responsibility toward Albania is shared. …
The United States said it respects the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Washington also called on all sides to respect the court’s decision. “We respect today’s verdict of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Korçë today to attend a public consultation meeting on the new Administrative-Territorial Reform. Rama said larger administrative units could improve access to another category of European Union funds. He also said the reform could bring more investment to local communities. “What we are doing today …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the convictions and sentences against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi an “unacceptable injustice.” “The convictions and heavy sentences against four former KLA leaders represent an unacceptable injustice. They also represent a serious and harmful punishment,” Kurti said. Kurti also challenged …
Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) in North Macedonia and one of the co-founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), called the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi “unjust and deeply disappointing.” Ahmeti called for restraint and unity. He also urged …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted today to the Hague court’s verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for war crimes. In a social media post, Rama described the verdict as “madness.” He also published a photo of a map of …
The European Union has urged all sides and actors in Kosovo and the region to show restraint following the verdict against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. EU spokesperson Guillaume Mercier told Radio Free Europe that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office must carry …
The state will manage Albania’s hydrocarbon security reserves under a draft law approved today by the Council of Ministers. The legislation will change how authorities store and manage these reserves. Energy and Infrastructure Minister Enea Karakaçi said the draft law introduces a major change to the current system. Private operators …
President Bajram Begaj expressed deep sadness over today’s Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. In a social media post, Begaj said their determination to appeal the verdict shows strong integrity and resilience. “For Albanians, no one and nothing …
Three human rights organizations have called on Serbia to prosecute senior military and police commanders over crimes committed against Kosovo Albanians. The Humanitarian Law Fund (HLC) in Serbia, the Humanitarian Law Fund Kosovo (HLF Kosovo) and the RECOM Reconciliation Network issued a joint statement following the first-instance verdict against four …
Albanian-American activist Harry Bajraktari called the Hague verdict against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders “scandalous.” He described it as a “sad day for Kosovo and international justice.” Bajraktari said the four were convicted for standing with their people against what he described as Serbian oppression, brutality and ethnic …