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Rama’s ‘Bektashi State’ proposal raises major concerns, faces negative backlash

TIRANA, Sept 24, 2024 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has ignited a major debate in Albania over his proposal to transform the global Bektashi Order’s headquarters in Tirana into a Vatican-style sovereign state. The Albanian public debate has been almost universally against the idea and there is anger at the …

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Critics Pour Scorn on Albanian PM’s ‘Microstate’ Plan for Bektashi Muslims

Behind Edi Rama’s announcement of a Vatican-type ‘microstate’ for the Bektashi movement in Tirana, some critics of his rule see a bid to distract attention from domestic scandals and win more favourable foreign media coverage. Original post Here

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Joint exercise with British troops, Vengu: Response to the reality of security in the region

The Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, participated in the DVDay (Distinguished Visitors Day) of the joint exercise between the Albanian and British troops “Austere wolf – 24”. During his speech, he said that this exercise is a response to the reality of security in the Western Balkans region. “Commitment to …

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Accused for prostitution, Tirana police has arrested two foreign citizens

Two citizens, Russian and Ukrainian, have been arrested in Tirana. These two citizens were caught red-handed on “Naim Frasheri” street, taking sums of money from foreign citizens, which they allegedly used for prostitution. During the verifications carried out, it was found that these citizens collected the sums of money obtained …

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A Rising Tide Lifts Empty Boats

Interpreting an Improved Economy in the Face of Depopulation   Mark Crawford In 2024 Albania faces a paradox of statistics. After a couple of years of strong GDP growth, Albania is projected to have a stable, if not solid next couple of years. Tourism in 2023 boomed and investment in …

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A Courageous Tug o’ War for American Investment

A delicate game attracting Democrat and Republican attention in the Western Balkans Mark Crawford     Sir Humphrey: There are four words you have to work into a proposal if you want a Minister to accept it. Sir Frank: Quick, simple, popular, cheap. And equally there are four words to …

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SPAK/ Former prime minister, Berisha will be officially recognized with the closure of the investigations on Wednesday

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha will appear in the Special Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that SPAK has called Berisha to officially inform him of the closure of the investigation into the “Partizani” file. “It is about the completion of the investigations, SPAK will communicate …

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Interior minister: 17% more people than last year were arrested in the national search

The Minister of the Interior, Ervin Hoxha, reported to the Security Commission the state of order in the country and the criminal events that happened recently. He emphasized that 17% more people were arrested in the national search between January and August of this year, more than last year. “You …

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Rama invites everyone to join: 215 applicants for MPs of Socialist Party

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, invited everyone this Sunday who want to be part of the socialist team, to apply at the ‘Members of Parliament that we want’. In a message in the social media, Rama said that everyone is welcomed to join SP2030. Some 215 candidates applied to …

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Two citizens from Poland arrested for cultivating cannabis

Two Polish citizens have been arrested in Saranda as part of the police mega-operation coded “Temple 3”. During the check in the premises of a hotel in Saranda, with one of the Polish administrators, specifically in the room where he was staying with the other Polish citizen, the Police services …

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Albania and Italy Update Mutual Driver’s License Recognition Agreement

The Albanian government approved an amendment to its agreement with Italy on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses for conversion purposes. The Council of Ministers adopted Amendment No. 2, which updates the existing cooperation framework between the two countries. The agreement aims to improve procedures for recognizing and converting driving …

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Rama: The Socialist Party Holds Power Through the People’s Vote and Will Not Abandon Its Responsibilities

Prime Minister Edi Rama told Socialist Party leaders and parliamentary committee chairs that the party derives its mandate from the people’s vote and has a duty to fulfill its commitments. During the meeting, Rama presented “Loyal Presence,” a new document that complements the previously introduced “Besa” platform. He urged the …

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Rama Unveils “Loyal Presence” Document to Launch a New Phase for the Socialist Party

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the “Loyal Presence” document to Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, describing it as a roadmap for a new phase in the party’s development. Rama said the document places respect, listening, empathy, solidarity, responsiveness and dedication to citizens at the center of the …

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Rama: Our Mission Is to Secure Albania’s EU Membership Without Missing This Historic Moment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government and the Socialist Party will continue their mission until Albania completes its accession to the European Union. Speaking at a meeting with Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, Rama stated that the country must seize what he described as a decisive …

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Albania and Indonesia Sign Labour Mobility Agreement

Albania and Indonesia have strengthened economic cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on labour mobility. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and Indonesia’s Minister for Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin signed the agreement in Jakarta. The memorandum creates a framework for safe, regular and sustainable employment opportunities. It also aims …

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Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

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Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

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Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

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London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

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Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …

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Albania and Italy Update Mutual Driver’s License Recognition Agreement

The Albanian government approved an amendment to its agreement with Italy on the mutual recognition of driver’s licenses for conversion purposes. The Council of Ministers adopted Amendment No. 2, which updates the existing cooperation framework between the two countries. The agreement aims to improve procedures for recognizing and converting driving …

News

Rama: The Socialist Party Holds Power Through the People’s Vote and Will Not Abandon Its Responsibilities

Prime Minister Edi Rama told Socialist Party leaders and parliamentary committee chairs that the party derives its mandate from the people’s vote and has a duty to fulfill its commitments. During the meeting, Rama presented “Loyal Presence,” a new document that complements the previously introduced “Besa” platform. He urged the …

News

Rama Unveils “Loyal Presence” Document to Launch a New Phase for the Socialist Party

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the “Loyal Presence” document to Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, describing it as a roadmap for a new phase in the party’s development. Rama said the document places respect, listening, empathy, solidarity, responsiveness and dedication to citizens at the center of the …

News

Rama: Our Mission Is to Secure Albania’s EU Membership Without Missing This Historic Moment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government and the Socialist Party will continue their mission until Albania completes its accession to the European Union. Speaking at a meeting with Socialist Party political leaders and parliamentary committee chairs, Rama stated that the country must seize what he described as a decisive …

News

Albania and Indonesia Sign Labour Mobility Agreement

Albania and Indonesia have strengthened economic cooperation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on labour mobility. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and Indonesia’s Minister for Migrant Worker Protection Mukhtarudin signed the agreement in Jakarta. The memorandum creates a framework for safe, regular and sustainable employment opportunities. It also aims …

News

Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

News

Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

News

Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

News

London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

News

Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …