The increase of apartment prices, Veliaj: It is lower compared to EU countries
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, spoke today about the increase in apartment prices in the capital. He says that this has happened, but it should not be treated as something bad, but as good news because today’s citizens value their property more than before. “It is true that the …
4 infected with Covid in the last 24 hours in Albania
The Ministry of Health, in the latest update regarding the Covid-19 situation, has announced that 201 tests have been carried out, four of which have been positive. Meanwhile, 9 people have recovered in the last 24 hours, while fortunately no loss of life has been reported. Statistics (January 29, 2023) …
In rare move, Albania files official protest note over UK migration minister’s ‘shameful’ remarks
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2022 – Albania’s foreign ministry has called in the UK ambassador to hand over an official protest note following remarks made by UK’s minister in charge of migration, which were called “a verbal lynching” of the Albanian people and “shameful” by Albania’s foreign minister. Typically such protests …
Economy to remain anemic, says World Bank as it slashes growth forecasts for Albania, Eurozone and much of the world
TIRANA, Jan. 17, 2023 – Albania is likely to escape a recession in 2023, but growth will remain anemic at 2.2 percent, the World Bank has announced, lowering a 7-month old projection for a 3.5 percent growth in GDP. By those numbers 2023 is seen as a bad year, since …
Albanians gain visa-free access to China as Tirana and Beijing sign bilateral deal
TIRANA, Jan. 18, 2022 – Albanians will soon have a new — and rather large — global destination they can access without a visa: mainland China. While Chinese citizens have already had the right to visit Albania without a visa, first as part of a tourist season program which Albania …
Albania had Europe’s fastest post-pandemic recovery in tourism sector, official data show
TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2023 – The visible increase in foreign tourists in Albania in the past two years now has statistical backing: Albania has had the fastest post-pandemic recovery in tourism in the entire continent, according to official numbers by Albanian and European statistical bodies. Experts say pent up demand …
Obituary: Isuf Kalo, 80, one of Albania’s top physicians and a key witness to communist history
TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2023 – Isuf Kalo, one of Albania’s most renowned medical doctors and a key witness to the country’s communist history as the personal doctor of the former dictator, has passed away at the age of 80, his family has announced. Professor Kalo was born in Albania’s southern …
U.S. arrest of former senior FBI official with ties to PM leads to opposition calls for investigation in Albania
TIRANA, Jan. 23, 2023 – The ties of the Albanian prime minister to a former senior FBI official recently arrested in the United States have led to calls by the political opposition for a full investigation of any possible Albania-related wrongdoings. The retired FBI senior official has been arrested on …
Op/Ed: Italy and the Western Balkans talk cooperation
By Antonio Tajani* The fate of Europe in these last months is being played, dramatically, around Ukraine. But the future of our continent is also connected with what will happen in the Western Balkans. History teaches us the strategic importance that this region has for our security. Therefore, the international …
Collaku contributes to international conference on women’s contribution to interfaith relations hosted by Pope Francis
TIRANA, Jan. 26, 2023 – An Albanian civil society representative, Rudina Collaku, founder and executive director of Women’s Center for Development and Culture, has addressed a conference on women and interfaith relations organized by Pope Francis. Pope Francis upheld the importance of protecting dignity of and caring for women and …
Taulant Balla met Socialist Party structures in Golem. He leads the party in Tirana County. The meeting focused on internal organization. It also stressed stronger field engagement. Participants discussed continuing work under the “Jobs of Albania” initiative. Balla highlighted cooperation between local structures. He said teamwork helps meet development goals. …
Tale in Lezhë has long attracted tourists. Each year, more visitors arrive. Therefore, authorities moved to improve access. The government backed a municipal project. It built a new road linking Rrilë and the Tale Hydrovore with the Lezhë–Tirana highway. The road stretches 6.3 km. It follows modern standards. It includes …
Every Tuesday since March 17 has drawn pilgrims to the Church of Saint Anthony in Laç. As a result, the site has become a center of prayer. People travel from cities across the country. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media. He showed the church in Laç. He …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu met EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato in Tirana. They discussed key challenges facing Albania’s justice system. They focused on efficiency. They also discussed improving citizens’ access to justice. In addition, they stressed stronger procedural guarantees. The talks also covered EU support. The European Union will help the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama gathered the Socialist Party parliamentary group. The meeting took place at the Assembly Presidency. It was held without media presence. Rama focused on parliamentary work. He also urged MPs to continue meetings with citizens. These meetings are part of the “Jobs of Albania” tour. He praised …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni met students in Durrës. They visited “Naim Frashëri” High School and “Aleksandër Moisiu” University. The meeting is part of the national tour, “EU and You: Europe Starts Here.” The event aims …
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana announced that the U.S. International Investigative Unit completed a specialized training with Albania’s Border Police. The focus was on detecting illegal documents and assessing risks. The training emphasized practical techniques to spot forgeries. It also strengthened officers’ professional skills in the field. The embassy highlighted …
The Montenegrin film Nderi premieres for the first time in Tirana and Prishtina. The director, Nikola Vukčević, presents it as Montenegro’s official Oscar® candidate (98th Academy Awards). The film has won 20 international awards at 31 festivals. These include the Cairo International Film Festival, IFFI GOA, and Palm Springs International …
The Ombudsman Endrit Shabani, who also serves as President of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen Organization (AOM), is conducting an official visit to the Republic of Kosovo, where he was received in a high-level meeting by the Speaker of Parliament and Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu. The discussions focused on the protection of …
Following the farmers’ protest held this Tuesday in front of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister Andis Salla and Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj met with a delegation of 15 farmers to discuss concerns in the livestock sector. During the meeting, issues related to subsidies, market functioning, competition, …