Q&A: Emigration is a regional issue and long-term effort is needed to address it, says Croatian Ambassador to Albania Zlatko Kramaric
Tirana Times interviews the Ambassador of Croatia to Albania, Zlatko Kramaric, on Croatia’s decade in the EU, relations with Albania and Western Balkans integration prospects. Q: Albania and Croatia enjoy a very good bilateral relation with collaboration in many fields. How do you find the relations at the moment of …
Albanian court rules Turkish crypto scam kingpin can be extradited to his homeland to face trial
TIRANA, Apr. 18, 2022 – Albania’s High Court has court ruled to allow the extradition of Fatih Ozer to face a trial in his homeland of Turkey, where he is wanted for allegedly scamming nearly 400,000 people out of millions dollars through a cryptocurrency exchange. Ozer was arrested last year …
Albania Economists Slate PM’s ‘New Salaries’ Pledge as ‘Unrealistic’
PM Rama’s promise to hike wages, starting in the public sector, has been deemed totally unrealistic by a range of economic experts. Original post Here
Confidence Tricks: Tirana’s Place in an International ‘Investment’ Scam
Fake ‘call centres’ across Albania were part of a lucrative stock market investment scam operating across Europe; the suspects include an Albanian man with significant political connections. Original post Here
Svetlana Timofeeva: ‘My Passion for Ruins Landed me in Albanian Prison’
Through a written interview from her cell in the Ali Demi prison in Tirana, the Russian blogger accused of espionage tells about her ill-fated adventure in Gramsh, her months spent in isolation – and her fear of possible extradition to Putin’s Russia. Original post Here
How Fear of Albanians Went Mainstream in 1990s Italy
The anti-Albanian campaigns in the British media today are all too reminiscent of the targeting of Albanians in Italy and Greece 30 years ago – and need to be fought, not indulged. Original post Here
Society for Albanian Studies calls for nominations for the annual Stavro Skendi Book Prize
TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Nominations are being sought for the Stavro Skendi Book Prize for Achievement in Albanian Studies, the organization that governs the award said in a statement. Awarded by the Society for Albanian Studies – an affiliate organization of the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian …
Isolation is not a joke: Leaving the ICSID would be a bitter mistake
TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL Albania’s troubles with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) seem to be expanding well beyond the infamous case of settling over the closure of Agon Channel and the hefty fine of 120 million euros that the country has to pay up to Italian investor …
Albania to Honour Heroes Who Saved Jews from Holocaust
New museum will celebrate the Albanians who risked their lives to shield Jews from Nazi persecution – and whose story has remained largely untold. Original post Here
Faced with corruption and unpredictable tax system, top business associations demand comprehensive reforms
TIRANA, April 12, 2023 – Doing business in Albania is hard as the economic “environment is inefficient and requires significant improvement,” five chambers of commerce in Albania, including those representing American, German, French and Italian investors said in a joint statement issued on Tuesday. To attract more foreign investment, they …
TIRANA, April 1 – Business confidence in Albania increased in March, according to a report published today by the Bank of Albania. The overall economic sentiment improved slightly, mainly due to stronger confidence in the trade sector, and remains well above its historical average. Confidence in the industrial sector declined …
TIRANA, April 1 – The government approved three acts at its latest meeting, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said. One act covers electronic identification, trusted services, and a digital identity wallet. Ibrahimaj said the law will replace paper documents and handwritten signatures. She explained that the law strengthens legal …
TIRANA, April 1 – State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo announced the approval of new rules for the use of public spaces. He said the regulation aims to support business development while addressing issues that limit public access for citizens. Demo said the rules create statewide standards for how …
TIRANA, April 1 – The National Authority for Cybersecurity clarified that recent reports of a breach at the institution are false. In an official statement, the authority dismissed claims by “Homeland Justice” regarding a cyberattack on Albanian institutions. The statement stressed that the circulated material is an official communication to …
TIRANA, April 1 – Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Evis Sala, inspected ongoing reconstruction works at Berat Regional Hospital, focusing on the laboratory, where she assessed the uninterrupted provision of diagnostic services. Speaking with laboratory staff, Sala noted that the rise in cases, particularly chronic diseases, has increased the …
TIRANA, April 1 – The national team takes a break as Abissnet Superiore returns with its 30th week, scheduled across three days starting Friday. The week opens on Friday with the survival clash between Flamurtari and Tirana at 19:00 in Flamurtari Stadium. On Saturday, three more matches follow, including key …
TIRANA, April 1 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu met yesterday with Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly rapporteurs Ionut-Marian Stroe and Pawel Jablonski. The discussion centered on the progress of judicial reform and upcoming challenges. Gogu emphasized that the vetting process is nearing completion, while judicial institutions have entered a new …
Albania’s national padel championship concluded today, highlighting the sport’s rapid growth in the country. Around 120 athletes competed over three days across multiple categories, showcasing high skill, dedication, and sportsmanship. The Albanian Padel Federation organized the event with support from the Albanian National Olympic Committee. Winners: Men’s Category 1: Alensio …
TIRANA, April 1 – Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla met today with the rapporteurs for Albania at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Ionuț-Marian Stroe and Paweł Jabłoński. Balla assured that the parliamentary majority is ready to move forward together with the opposition on …
TIRANA, April 1 – Chief Inspector Dashnor Sula organized a working session to review the implementation of inspection system reforms in daily field practice. The meeting aimed to improve control standards and ensure consumer protection, both essential for meeting European Union requirements. Sula stressed that a well-functioning inspection system increases …