The Open Balkans wine tasting club
One way out of this awkward and unpleasant conundrum is for Open Balkans to retreat into a smaller, softer, cultural blend of cultural diplomacy with concerts, fairs and all the glittery shows its proponents are truly masters of. TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL The Open Balkans initiative is quickly branding itself as …
Through regional networking, Western Balkans businesses are preparing for the European Union market
By DEJAN AZESKI SKOPJE, March 31, 2023 – Improving infrastructure, solving barriers that exist to speed up the flow of goods and services, establishing a joint airline that will connect the region, solving the issue of certification bodies and documents are just some of the topics discussed by business representatives in …
Golden Touch: Eight Decades on, King’s ‘Theft’ Still Divides Albania
King Zog’s reign brought progress and modernity to a backward Albania before his flight in 1939 – but controversies over the gold he allegedly took with him persist. Original post Here
Albania Violated Suspended Prosecutor’s Rights, Court Rules
The suspension of an Albanian prosecutor – later fired under a vetting process supposed to rid the justice system of graft – was not “in accordance with the law,” the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. Original post Here
UK Asylum Approach to Albanians Ignores Lived Experience, and Facts
The rhetoric, and now the laws, applied to irregular Albanian arrivals in the UK is discriminatory; it also ignores their lived experience in Albania and the UK’s own data. Original post Here
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 – …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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. …
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 …