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 …
Italian Prime Minister after meeting with Rama: Focus on defense and illegal migration
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted on X following today’s meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was received during an official visit in Rome. Meloni emphasized that the discussions focused on important issues such as cooperation in the field of defense, as well as strengthening collaboration in the …
European Union envoy for Kosova–Serbia dialogue Peter Sorensen to visit Pristina for talks with Prime Minister Kurti
TIRANA, April 16 – European Union envoy for the Kosova–Serbia dialogue Peter Sorensen arrives in Prishtina on April 15. He meets Kosova Prime Minister Albin Kurti during the visit. A Brussels source told Radio Free Europe. A diplomatic source links the visit to ongoing efforts on the Kosova–Serbia dialogue process. …
Returned Migrant Builds Successful Export Farm in Çermë e Sipërme
A returned migrant builds a successful export farm in Çermë e Sipërme. Gëzim Bezhi runs a modern greenhouse farm in Divjakë. Albania exports agricultural products to 85 international markets. The government aims to reach €1 billion in exports by 2030. Minister Salla visits a farm in Çermë e Sipërme. He …
Albanian Electricity Distribution Operator introduces debt relief scheme for large businesses
TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s electricity distribution operator has introduced a new relief scheme aimed at restructuring outstanding electricity debts for large businesses. According to the announcement, eligible companies will be able to repay their obligations in up to 120 instalments. The exact number of instalments will depend on the …
Koçiu Meets Citizens in Vorë to Discuss EU Integration
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu meets citizens in Vorë with Taulant Balla. They discuss EU integration and national development. First, Koçiu says EU membership remains Albania’s main goal. She calls it the final confirmation of Albania’s European identity. Meanwhile, the government informs citizens daily about reforms. It reports progress in …
Guri: Albania Enters New Phase as Exporting Country
Deputy Minister Fatmir Guri speaks at the 4th Diaspora Summit. He focuses on agriculture and exports. First, he says Albania enters a new phase as a producer and exporter country. In addition, he stresses the role of agriculture in the national economy. He links it to culture and identity. Meanwhile, …
Përmet Folk Ensemble Promotes Albanian Culture in World Festival
The Përmet Folk Ensemble participates in the World Folklore Festival. The festival takes place in Italy, France, and Monaco. First, the artists perform in Sanremo, Italy. They join the opening parade of the festival. Moreover, they wear traditional costumes. They present songs and dances from Përmet. In addition, they showcase …
“Ora e Maleve” Begins Publication in Shkodër in 1923
The newspaper “Ora e Maleve” begins publication in Shkodër on 15 April 1923. It becomes an important platform for political and social thought. First, it reflects the political and economic situation in Albania. It focuses especially on developments in Shkodër. Moreover, the newspaper publishes 51 issues until the end of …
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to visit Italy and Spain for talks with counterparts Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sanchez
TIRANA, April 16 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama begins a working visit to Italy and Spain from April 16 to 18. The trip includes meetings with European leaders and participation in an international summit. The Prime Minister’s Office said Rama will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. …
North Macedonia’s Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi said that, despite the convictions, the four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders “remain Kosovo’s liberators.” “Today’s verdict is a first-instance decision, while the battle for justice continues,” Gashi wrote on social media. Gashi called for calm. He also said that Thaçi, Krasniqi, Veseli …
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, reacted following the guilty verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against the KLA leaders. Grenell said that Albin Kurti must act quickly to dissolve this foreign court. “The sentence handed down by The Hague court against Hashim Thaçi, …
During a press conference in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the decision to sentence the former KLA leaders to a combined 81 years in prison, urging Serbs not to consider the process over and not to celebrate. He continued to insist that the judgment did not include what …
American professor and Balkan affairs expert Daniel Serwer has reacted following the guilty verdict issued by the Specialist Chambers against four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. In an opinion piece published on his website, “Peacefare.net,” Serwer said that Americans and Europeans should be ashamed for criminalizing a liberation …
Human rights organization Amnesty International said that the war crimes convictions of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and three other former senior officials of the Kosovo Liberation Army give hope to victims who have waited for justice “for more than two decades.” Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for …
The convictions of Hashim Thaçi and three other former KLA leaders have shaken Kosovo. But beyond the sentences, the verdict has intensified scrutiny of how the Specialist Chambers were created, how the trial was conducted and whether an institution established under strong Western pressure can command the legitimacy international justice …
Top politicians in Kosovo said the Hague judgment finding ex-President Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army ex-leaders guilty of war crimes was unjust – but a Serbian minister said it proved the KLA was ‘criminal’. Original post Here
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 …