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Electronic voting is tested, head of CEC: The device is 100% safe

In three municipalities, namely in Kamëz, Vorë and Elbasan, voting will be done electronically in the May 14 elections. The head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, guaranteed from Elbasan that the device ensures 100% secrecy of the vote, so he invited the citizens not to hesitate to vote on May 14. …

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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 …

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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 …

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 …

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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 …

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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

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Albania, Turkey reaffirm strategic partnership in Begaj–Bayraktaroğlu meeting

President Bajram Begaj met Turkish Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu in Tirana on Saturday. They highlighted strong NATO alliance ties. They reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey. They described political, economic, and defense relations as excellent. Begaj praised defense cooperation. He said collaboration remains consolidated and at …

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Rama visits Abu Dhabi, expresses solidarity with UAE

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit. He expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit comes during a tense period in the Arab Gulf. Rama said regional partners will emerge stronger after current challenges and tensions. …

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Muse-X festival brings music, art and innovation to Piramida

The Muse-X festival ended today in Tirana after three days of events at Piramida e Tiranës. The platform brought together hundreds of companies and professionals from over 24 countries. It created a space for ideas, talent, and creative opportunities. The program featured music battles, film screenings, and premieres. It also …

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Government declares new cultural heritage sites, Gonxhja: Focus on protection and development

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja announced new cultural heritage decisions. First, the Council of Ministers approved several new “Immovable Cultural Heritage” sites. Next, it declared the Urban Architectural Ensemble in Delvinë as protected heritage. The decision aims to preserve the city’s historical identity. Then, authorities listed the …

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Rama in Abu Dhabi sends message of solidarity to the United Arab Emirates amid Gulf tensions

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on social media that he is visiting Abu Dhabi. He said the trip aims to express brotherly solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. Furthermore, the visit comes at a tense time for the Gulf region. Rama also reaffirmed Albania’s …

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Albania Launches First Film Internship Program and New Studio Zone

Albania is launching its first official internship program for young filmmakers and art students. Jonid Jorgji, head of the National Center of Cinematography (QKK), announced the news alongside Minister Blendi Gonxhja at the Muse-x event. This initiative requires every QKK-funded production to include young creators in their professional crews. Students …

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PM Albin Kurti Declares Assets: Only €16 in His Bank Account

Kosovo’s Anti-Corruption Agency has published the annual asset declaration of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The report shows that his rent has increased by €100, while his personal savings have decreased. There are no significant changes in his movable or immovable assets. Under real estate, Kurti lists an apartment owned by …

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Visit to Washington: Finance Minister Malaj Meets U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, during an official visit to Washington, held a meeting at the U.S. Department of State with Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. The visit took place במסגרת the annual meetings of the Albanian delegation with leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. …

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Death of Albanian Teen in Greece: Kefalonia Hospital Rejects Allegations, Calls for Investigation

Doctors have denied complaints regarding the alleged malfunctioning of the Emergency Department at Kefalonia Hospital, following the death of 19-year-old Albanian woman, Myrto. The allegations were made by an anonymous woman, while the Hospital Workers’ Union of the General Hospital of Kefalonia has called for an investigation into the case. …

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8th Pharmaceutical Conference Calls for Clearer Rules in the Medicines Sector

The Order of Pharmacists in Albania, in cooperation with the Chamber of Pharmacists of Kosovo, has opened the 8th Pharmaceutical Conference titled “Together for Pharmaceuticals.” Key topics discussed included the need for concrete reforms to address recurring issues in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as calls to establish European standards …

News

Albania, Turkey reaffirm strategic partnership in Begaj–Bayraktaroğlu meeting

President Bajram Begaj met Turkish Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu in Tirana on Saturday. They highlighted strong NATO alliance ties. They reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey. They described political, economic, and defense relations as excellent. Begaj praised defense cooperation. He said collaboration remains consolidated and at …

News

Rama visits Abu Dhabi, expresses solidarity with UAE

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit. He expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit comes during a tense period in the Arab Gulf. Rama said regional partners will emerge stronger after current challenges and tensions. …

News

Muse-X festival brings music, art and innovation to Piramida

The Muse-X festival ended today in Tirana after three days of events at Piramida e Tiranës. The platform brought together hundreds of companies and professionals from over 24 countries. It created a space for ideas, talent, and creative opportunities. The program featured music battles, film screenings, and premieres. It also …

News

Government declares new cultural heritage sites, Gonxhja: Focus on protection and development

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja announced new cultural heritage decisions. First, the Council of Ministers approved several new “Immovable Cultural Heritage” sites. Next, it declared the Urban Architectural Ensemble in Delvinë as protected heritage. The decision aims to preserve the city’s historical identity. Then, authorities listed the …

News

Rama in Abu Dhabi sends message of solidarity to the United Arab Emirates amid Gulf tensions

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on social media that he is visiting Abu Dhabi. He said the trip aims to express brotherly solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. Furthermore, the visit comes at a tense time for the Gulf region. Rama also reaffirmed Albania’s …

News

Albania Launches First Film Internship Program and New Studio Zone

Albania is launching its first official internship program for young filmmakers and art students. Jonid Jorgji, head of the National Center of Cinematography (QKK), announced the news alongside Minister Blendi Gonxhja at the Muse-x event. This initiative requires every QKK-funded production to include young creators in their professional crews. Students …

News

PM Albin Kurti Declares Assets: Only €16 in His Bank Account

Kosovo’s Anti-Corruption Agency has published the annual asset declaration of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The report shows that his rent has increased by €100, while his personal savings have decreased. There are no significant changes in his movable or immovable assets. Under real estate, Kurti lists an apartment owned by …

News

Visit to Washington: Finance Minister Malaj Meets U.S. Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, during an official visit to Washington, held a meeting at the U.S. Department of State with Jacob Helberg, Under Secretary for Economic Affairs. The visit took place במסגרת the annual meetings of the Albanian delegation with leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. …

News

Death of Albanian Teen in Greece: Kefalonia Hospital Rejects Allegations, Calls for Investigation

Doctors have denied complaints regarding the alleged malfunctioning of the Emergency Department at Kefalonia Hospital, following the death of 19-year-old Albanian woman, Myrto. The allegations were made by an anonymous woman, while the Hospital Workers’ Union of the General Hospital of Kefalonia has called for an investigation into the case. …

News

8th Pharmaceutical Conference Calls for Clearer Rules in the Medicines Sector

The Order of Pharmacists in Albania, in cooperation with the Chamber of Pharmacists of Kosovo, has opened the 8th Pharmaceutical Conference titled “Together for Pharmaceuticals.” Key topics discussed included the need for concrete reforms to address recurring issues in the pharmaceutical sector, as well as calls to establish European standards …