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Albanian PM visit to London focuses on migration woes 

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited London on Thursday in the first ever official visit of an Albanian head of government to 10 Downing Street, but the visit was marred by taking place with the backdrop of the controversy that has been going on for …

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As number of young workers declines, over 65s working at higher rates

TIRANA, March, 25, 2023 – While Albania’s employment indicators have improved year over year, since 2020, the number of employed people is decreasing in the younger population groups, while it is increasing among the elderly. In the fourth quarter of 2022, there were about 52,500 more people employed than in …

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Albania’s central bank raises key rate by 0.25%

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albania’s central bank has raised its key interest rate by another quarter of a percentage point in its attempt to fight inflation, the Bank of Albania governor announced in a press conference.  The decision of the bank board brings the rate to 3 percent, directly …

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In Tirana visit, Kosovo PM discusses contentious deal with Serbia

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited Tirana over the weekend, holding discussions with Albania’s top leaders and focusing on his country’s ongoing dialogue with Serbia, which has been high on the agenda in recent months. Earlier this year, agreements to normalize relations between Kosovo and …

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In widely-condemned violent attack on media, shots fired at key Albanian TV channel headquarters, killing guard

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – In what the media and authorities are calling “a terrorist act,” unidentified gunmen used automatic weapons to shoot at the headquarters of one of Albania’s largest private television stations, Top Channel, shortly after midnight on Monday, killing a security guard on duty.  The attack on …

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Red and Blacks look for fresh start as Albania plays Poland for Euro 2024 qualifier

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Albania will begin their quest for a spot in the 2024 European Championship against Poland in Warsaw on Monday, hoping to break their seven-game losing streak against the hosts.  The Red and Blacks will have their first match under Brazilian coach Sylvinho, who aims to …

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Albania’s Mild Punishments for Electoral Crimes Undermine its Democracy

The few and minimal sentences handed down by the justice system for electoral corruption do little to discourage such violations, according to experts – and undermine the path towards democracy. Original post Here

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Orderer of Shengjin explosive attack arrested after three Years

Lezha Police have arrested on Tuesday citizen Zef Kola, resident of Tirana, suspected of ordering the TNT explosion on the building that was being built by businessman Liman Gjoka in the “Rana e Hedhun” area of Shengjin, three years ago. After investigations carried out with special methods, this event was …

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Ex-son-in-law of guard killed in TV shooting detained

Vlora Police has detained this Tuesday the ex-son-in-law of Pal Kola, the guard who was killed by Kalashnikov fire in the yard of Top Channel television shortly after Monday midnight. In front of the investigators, Roberto Papçi has denied having anything to do with the event. Along with the ex-son-in-law, …

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Rama: Sports betting revenue will go to culture and tech

Prime Minister Edi Rama has underlined Tuesday that sports betting revenue will go to the projects and needs of sports federations, the culture sector, and various groups that are interested in cultural projects. In his speech, PM Rama underlined that there will be a new structure that will supervise this …

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Kosova education minister attends Albanian language competition in Tirana, highlights joint education efforts

TIRANA, April 16 – Kosova’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hajrulla Çeku attended the final of the National Albanian Language Competition in Tirana. He joined the event at the invitation of Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro. Çeku said he chose Tirana for his first official visit as minister …

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Albania agriculture minister says farmer consultations shape support schemes

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla said more than 65,000 farmers benefited from the national support scheme last year. He described the figure as evidence of broad participation across the country. Speaking in parliament, Salla addressed concerns raised by opposition lawmaker Ramadan Lika …

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Albania signs agreement to establish Besa Museum in Tirana

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport signed an agreement with the Besa Cultural Foundation to establish the Besa [Faith] Museum in Tirana. The deal was signed during the fourth Diaspora Summit and launches a project focused on historical memory and cultural heritage. The museum will …

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Albanian language competition final held in Tirana, new joint competition with Kosova announced

TIRANA, April 16 – Schools “Edith Durham” in Tirana and “Besëlidhja” in Lezha hosted the final of the fourth National Albanian Language Competition on Thursday. Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro attended the event together with Kosova’s Minister of Education Hajrulla Çeku. Kumbaro praised students, teachers and parents for their …

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Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine as violations of international humanitarian law

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha condemned the latest wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine. He said drone and missile attacks hit civilian areas and caused casualties, including children. Hoxha expressed solidarity with victims, the injured, and their families. He said the attacks …

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Prime Minister Rama meets Italian Prime Minister Meloni in Rome, highlights strategic cooperation and major joint projects

TIRANA, April 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace in Rome on Thursday. The visit focused on bilateral cooperation and ongoing strategic projects between Albania and Italy. PM Rama posted a statement on social media after the meeting. He said Italian …

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Greek Defense Minister visits Kosovo, meets Kurti

Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias is in Kosovo today for an official visit. It is reported that on Thursday morning he was received in a meeting by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The news was announced by Dendias himself on X. “Working breakfast with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin …

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Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine, Hoxha: A Serious Violation of International Humanitarian Law

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has reacted to the latest massive Russian attacks on Ukraine. Through a post on X, Hoxha expressed solidarity with the victims, the injured, and their families, and described the attacks as unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. “We …

News
Rama in Italy, welcomed with an official ceremony by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Italy on Thursday afternoon, where he was received with a state ceremony by his counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Rama is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, as well as with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, focusing on joint projects and the strengthening of …

News
Albania, a “champion” in the region for rising prices over the past decade, based on purchasing power

Over the past 10 years, Albania has approached EU price levels faster than any other country in the Western Balkans region. According to data from Eurostat, in 2015 the price level based on purchasing power was 48% of the EU average, making Albania one of the cheapest countries in the …

News

Kosova education minister attends Albanian language competition in Tirana, highlights joint education efforts

TIRANA, April 16 – Kosova’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hajrulla Çeku attended the final of the National Albanian Language Competition in Tirana. He joined the event at the invitation of Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro. Çeku said he chose Tirana for his first official visit as minister …

News

Albania agriculture minister says farmer consultations shape support schemes

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla said more than 65,000 farmers benefited from the national support scheme last year. He described the figure as evidence of broad participation across the country. Speaking in parliament, Salla addressed concerns raised by opposition lawmaker Ramadan Lika …

News

Albania signs agreement to establish Besa Museum in Tirana

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport signed an agreement with the Besa Cultural Foundation to establish the Besa [Faith] Museum in Tirana. The deal was signed during the fourth Diaspora Summit and launches a project focused on historical memory and cultural heritage. The museum will …

News

Albanian language competition final held in Tirana, new joint competition with Kosova announced

TIRANA, April 16 – Schools “Edith Durham” in Tirana and “Besëlidhja” in Lezha hosted the final of the fourth National Albanian Language Competition on Thursday. Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro attended the event together with Kosova’s Minister of Education Hajrulla Çeku. Kumbaro praised students, teachers and parents for their …

News

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine as violations of international humanitarian law

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha condemned the latest wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine. He said drone and missile attacks hit civilian areas and caused casualties, including children. Hoxha expressed solidarity with victims, the injured, and their families. He said the attacks …

News

Prime Minister Rama meets Italian Prime Minister Meloni in Rome, highlights strategic cooperation and major joint projects

TIRANA, April 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace in Rome on Thursday. The visit focused on bilateral cooperation and ongoing strategic projects between Albania and Italy. PM Rama posted a statement on social media after the meeting. He said Italian …

News

Greek Defense Minister visits Kosovo, meets Kurti

Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias is in Kosovo today for an official visit. It is reported that on Thursday morning he was received in a meeting by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The news was announced by Dendias himself on X. “Working breakfast with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin …

News

Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine, Hoxha: A Serious Violation of International Humanitarian Law

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has reacted to the latest massive Russian attacks on Ukraine. Through a post on X, Hoxha expressed solidarity with the victims, the injured, and their families, and described the attacks as unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. “We …

News

Rama in Italy, welcomed with an official ceremony by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Italy on Thursday afternoon, where he was received with a state ceremony by his counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Rama is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, as well as with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, focusing on joint projects and the strengthening of …

News

Albania, a “champion” in the region for rising prices over the past decade, based on purchasing power

Over the past 10 years, Albania has approached EU price levels faster than any other country in the Western Balkans region. According to data from Eurostat, in 2015 the price level based on purchasing power was 48% of the EU average, making Albania one of the cheapest countries in the …