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 …
In Albania’s olive oil boom, lack of proper export system means producers go bust
TIRANA, Jan. 26, 2023 – One the largest olive harvests ever has led to a record production of olive oil in Albania this year. But the boom in production has exposed another problem: Albania’s inability to export. Most oil producers have not been able to secure the needed certification to …
The first two semifinal matches of the Albanian Cup ended in draws. Egnatia and Elbasani drew 1–1 in the first semifinal. The match in Rrogozhinë stayed open for both teams. Everything remains undecided for the return leg. The home side started strongly. Sota gave Egnatia the lead in the 5th …
Minister Enea Karakaçi presented the new energy law. He said the reform aligns Albania with EU rules. It creates a more open and competitive market. It also reduces state intervention. The law shifts away from a centralized model. It promotes liberalization. Competition will drive the sector. Meanwhile, new energy sources …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met a high-level delegation from Poland today. Lt. Col. Tomasz Czyż led the delegation. Lamallari and Czyż discussed strengthening cooperation in fire protection and civil emergencies. They focused on experience sharing and professional capacity building. “Exchanging experiences and investing in professional skills are essential,” Lamallari said. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the Albanian government is preparing a new pension scheme. He emphasized it will not replace the current system but enrich it. During a visit to an industrial complex in Durrës, Rama explained the scheme. Employees can save a portion of their salary in a …
Prime Minister Edi Rama visited an industrial complex in Durrës today. Several companies operate there in transport, recycling, and industrial processing. During the visit, Rama praised the companies’ growth. He said many started with limited resources and a big dream. Now they produce high-value products, like gold rings and pendants …
Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, said today that Albania is promoting an economy focused on attracting investments and exporting higher-value products. She spoke during a visit to an industrial complex in Durrës, alongside Prime Minister Edi Rama and Mayor Emiriana Sako. “This business processes and exports precious metals. …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, met today with the Party Assembly in Lezhë. He discussed Albania’s EU accession negotiations, aiming for membership by 2030. Rama said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters in record time, thanks to national effort and EU readiness. “Today is our moment. We …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama outlined the government’s ambition to raise Albania’s total gross production to €35 billion by 2030. At a Socialist Party Assembly meeting, Rama said, “We inherited an economy with less than €10 billion total production. Today, it stands at around €27 billion. We …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama said today that Albania aims to finish negotiations with the European Commission by 2027 and join the European Union by 2030. At a Socialist Party Assembly in Lezhë, Rama explained: “When I said we would complete negotiations by 2027, many thought it …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs welcomed the two-day ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at paving the way for a sustainable resolution to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. In an official statement, the Ministry highlighted Albania’s consistent support for de-escalation, restraint, and meaningful …