Albania’s Belba Winery featured at VinItaly’s Open Balkan stand
TIRANA, March 3, 2023 – When it comes to good wine, it’s all about the basic ingredient. “We’ve focused on growing the right grapes,” says Bardhi Belba, who learned about wine while living in Italy for many years before returning to his native Albania to start his own family winery …
IMO Slates Albania Judges’ Council’s Plans to Reinstate Fired Prosecutor
European Commission-appointed Monitoring Operation says plan by Albania’s High Council of Prosecutors to return to office a fired former prosecutor would undermine the entire vetting process. Original post Here
Albania Urged to Save Iconic 1920s Bridge From Collapse
Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute on Monday released a report urging Albania to save the iconic but damaged ‘Zogu Bridge’, considered ‘a masterpiece of civil engineering from the early 20th century in the Balkans’. Original post Here
Albania’s economy grew by 4.8% in Q4, beating expectations
TIRANA, April 1, 2023 – Albania, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.84 percent compared to the previous year, the Institute of Statistics said in its publishing of data on economic activity during the last quarter of last year. This increase goes beyond the forecasts of the Albanian authorities …
Q&A: Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán on the war in Ukraine, international cooperation and the economy
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán spoke to the Kossuth Radio programme “Good Morning Hungary” on March 31, 2023. Zsolt Törőcsik: Soon all the Western tanks promised to Ukraine will arrive in that war-torn country. Several countries have already offered fighter planes, and the British have sent munitions containing depleted uranium – …
Strengthening democratic institutions a U.S. priority, says nominee for U.S. ambassador to Albania, David J. Kostelancik
TIRANA, April 2, 2023 – Strengthening democratic institutions in Albania is a U.S. priority, says David J. Kostelancik, a career diplomat appointed by President Biden to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Albania. He made the comments in his remarks in front of the Committee on Foreign Relations in …
Albania voices support for Thaci as trial starts in The Hague
TIRANA, April 3, 2023 – Albania has voiced support for Kosovo’s former president Hashim Thaci and three other ex-leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), whose trial started on Monday in The Hague on alleged war crimes. All of the defendants firmly deny the accusations and formally entered not-guilty pleas …
Rama introduces salary increase to PM’s office employees
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a meeting with the employees of the Prime Minister’s Office, communicated the salary increase. He stated that such an increase should have been made a long time ago, but the conditions have caused it to be delayed. “It’s been so many years that we work …
DP’s candidate for local elections in Kruja withdraws
Another Democratic Party (DP) candidate for the May 14 elections has withdrawn from the race. It is about the candidate of the municipality of Krujë, Sabah Sheta, who announced his decision through a post on Facebook. With the withdrawal from the race, Sabah Sheta brings to 6 the number of …
Albania’s economy increased 4.84% in 2022
Economic growth in Albania for 2022 was 4.84%. This is what the Minister of Finance and Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj, said this Friday during a press conference. Ibrahimaj noted that growth has mainly been registered in the construction and tourism sectors. According to her, the reconstruction process is continuing at a …
Gent Sejko met senior officials from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. He met Antonella Bassani, Xiaoqing Yu, and Alfonso García Mora. They discussed Albania’s latest economic and financial developments. They assessed them as positive. The economy showed steady growth. Inflation remained low. Financial stability strengthened. They highlighted …
TIRANA, April 17 – A protest held by Albania’s Democratic Party took place on the main boulevard “Dëshmorët e Kombit” in central Tirana on Friday, later continuing with tensions near key state institutions. After opposition leader Sali Berisha addressed the gathering, some participants threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks in the …
Edi Rama visited Barcelona. The Chamber of Commerce of Catalonia received him. He highlighted growing interest in Albania. He shared a photo from the meeting. Rama said Albania’s image in Spain has changed. He said Spain once viewed Albania negatively. He said Spanish youth now prefer Albania as a tourist …
Ogerta Manastirliu visited families affected by the fire near Pharmacy 10 in Tirana. She said institutions are fully engaged. She promised concrete solutions as soon as possible. She said the Municipality of Tirana started work immediately. She said the Municipal Council will approve rent bonuses. She stressed no delays in …
Ferit Hoxha met Paulo Rangel at the Diplomacy Forum in Antalya. He received support for Albania’s EU membership path. They agreed to intensify cooperation. They discussed trade, tourism, education, and culture. They reaffirmed strong bilateral friendship. They agreed to increase political dialogue. This marked their first bilateral meeting. Hoxha highlighted …
Petrit Malaj met Jacob Helberg from the U.S. Department of State. They discussed current economic developments. They addressed global challenges. They explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation. They highlighted the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. They stressed expanding cooperation to support economic development and stability. Malaj reaffirmed …
The Council of Ministers of Albania declared several sites immovable cultural heritage. It approved protection and management plans. Authorities declared the Bylis Archaeological Park and Klos area cultural heritage. They approved zoning and preservation measures. They set rules for protection and administration. The government also declared the Bushat archaeological Zone …
Kosovo continues competition at the European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi after winning gold with Distria Krasniqi. Laura Fazliu competes in the -63 kg category. Akil Gjakova and Dardan Cena compete in the -73 kg category. Athletes aim for strong results for Kosovo. The team targets additional medals after Krasniqi’s …
Akil Gjakova competes at the European Judo Championships 2026 in Tbilisi. He fights for the bronze medal against Bilal Çiloğlu. Gjakova receives a bye in the first round. He beats Samuel Gassner by ippon in the second round. He defeats Benjamin Levy by ippon. He loses in the quarterfinals to …
Besmir Beja visited the CEFTA Secretariat. He met Pranvera Kastrati to strengthen institutional cooperation. He prepared for Albania’s CEFTA presidency in 2026. Beja highlighted the role of the Albanian Customs Administration. He promoted trade facilitation. He advanced digitalization processes. He supported Authorized Economic Operators to improve the business climate. He …