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Green for growth fund to invest in landmark renewable energy project in Albania

TIRANA, March 11, 2023 – The Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has announced a EUR 28 million loan to fund a landmark transaction with SPV Blue 1 in Albania. The privately owned project marks a significant milestone in the history of energy production in Albania, as it is the largest …

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Wage hikes in private sector outpacing public increases as Albania’s businesses struggle with retention

TIRANA, March 20, 2023 – Albania’s private sector salaries are increasing and doing so at a higher rate than public sector ones, as businesses struggle to retain workers competing with migration and the domestic labor market.  However, public sector wages continue to be, on average, higher, according to the latest …

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Op/Ed: Balkan awakening – Strengthening ties between Israel and Albania

By Ohad Shpak* The upcoming Israel-Albania Tech Conference to be held in March 2023 aims to strengthen commercial ties between the two countries, following recent developments in the bilateral relations. Muslim-majority Republic of Albania and the Jewish State of Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1991, shortly after Albania emerged from …

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Albanians get visa-free access to UAE, part of larger expansion into Asia

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Starting on April 20, citizens of Albania will be able to travel visa-free to the United Arab Emirates, home of renowned cities and major airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Albanian government has announced.  UAE citizens are also able to travel to Albania without …

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Albanian PM visit to London focuses on migration woes 

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited London on Thursday in the first ever official visit of an Albanian head of government to 10 Downing Street, but the visit was marred by taking place with the backdrop of the controversy that has been going on for …

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As number of young workers declines, over 65s working at higher rates

TIRANA, March, 25, 2023 – While Albania’s employment indicators have improved year over year, since 2020, the number of employed people is decreasing in the younger population groups, while it is increasing among the elderly. In the fourth quarter of 2022, there were about 52,500 more people employed than in …

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Albania’s central bank raises key rate by 0.25%

TIRANA, March 23, 2023 – Albania’s central bank has raised its key interest rate by another quarter of a percentage point in its attempt to fight inflation, the Bank of Albania governor announced in a press conference.  The decision of the bank board brings the rate to 3 percent, directly …

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In Tirana visit, Kosovo PM discusses contentious deal with Serbia

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited Tirana over the weekend, holding discussions with Albania’s top leaders and focusing on his country’s ongoing dialogue with Serbia, which has been high on the agenda in recent months. Earlier this year, agreements to normalize relations between Kosovo and …

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In widely-condemned violent attack on media, shots fired at key Albanian TV channel headquarters, killing guard

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – In what the media and authorities are calling “a terrorist act,” unidentified gunmen used automatic weapons to shoot at the headquarters of one of Albania’s largest private television stations, Top Channel, shortly after midnight on Monday, killing a security guard on duty.  The attack on …

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Red and Blacks look for fresh start as Albania plays Poland for Euro 2024 qualifier

TIRANA, March 27, 2023 – Albania will begin their quest for a spot in the 2024 European Championship against Poland in Warsaw on Monday, hoping to break their seven-game losing streak against the hosts.  The Red and Blacks will have their first match under Brazilian coach Sylvinho, who aims to …

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“PranverArt” opens 16th edition at Tirana Art Gallery

Galeria e Artit Tiranë opens the 16th edition of the exhibition “PranverArt” in Tirana. Then, more than 60 artists present their works using different visual art techniques, including painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Organizers Lazar Taçi and Maksim Bushi lead the exhibition. Next, the gallery welcomes a large number of visitors …

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‘The Economic Times’: Albania’s Durrës among Europe’s top affordable coastal destinations

TIRANA, April 22 – An article in The Economic Times highlights Albania as part of Europe’s leading affordable coastal destinations. The report notes that summer holidays across the continent do not need to be expensive. It places Durrës among the key locations recommended for summer 2026. Durrës is presented as …

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Albania to see light rain across most areas, weather service says

TIRANA, April 22 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face unstable weather on Wednesday. The country will experience cloudy conditions and intermittent light rain in most areas. Rainfall may intensify locally in the south and east. Short periods of moderate showers are expected. In mountain areas, thunderstorms may …

News
Albania pledges stronger environmental policies in regional cooperation push

TIRANA, April 22 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj hosted a regional meeting in Albania. Participants included representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. International partners also joined the talks. The discussions focused on environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean region. Jaupaj said the platform aims to strengthen regional cooperation. He said …

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Lamallari: public space near Vjosa River freed after 15 years

Besfort Lamallari announced that a public space near the Vjosa River has been freed from stored seized assets. He said the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets continues to clear public areas that were occupied for years. In this case, the site had been used for storing …

News
Delphi Economic Forum opens in Greece, PM Rama meets PM Mitsotakis and European leaders

TIRANA, April 22 – The Delphi Economic Forum opens today in Greece, bringing together political leaders, business representatives, academics, and experts from around the world. The event runs until 25 April and focuses on global challenges and international dialogue. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama attends the forum, accompanied by his …

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Kumbaro: EU approves draft for Education Services Agency

Mirela Kumbaro says the European Commission has approved the draft law for the creation of the Education Services Agency. The discussion takes place in the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Sports, where lawmakers debate the proposed legislation. Committee chair Luçiano Boçi raises concerns about transparency, autonomy, and possible conflicts …

News
Albania to Play Friendly Match Against Luxembourg on June 6 at “Air Albania”

Albania will return to the field in June. The national team will play a friendly match. The Albanian Football Federation has reached an agreement with Luxembourg. The two teams will face each other in a friendly match. They will play on June 6 at 20:00. The match will take place …

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Albanian ambassador tells The Guardian UK media and politicians “demonise” Albanians

TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Uran Ferizi, has accused parts of the British media and right-wing politicians of “demonising” Albanians. He made the remarks in an open letter published by The Guardian, highlighting what he described as growing public stigma. Ferizi said Albanian communities in …

News
Norfolk NATO Festival highlights Albania’s culture and tradition

TIRANA, April 22 – The Norfolk NATO Festival opened in Norfolk, Virginia, bringing together NATO member countries in a celebration of international cooperation. The annual event featured flag-raising ceremonies and cultural exhibitions in the city centre. Organisers held the traditional NATO flag-raising ceremony in April to mark the official opening …

News

“PranverArt” opens 16th edition at Tirana Art Gallery

Galeria e Artit Tiranë opens the 16th edition of the exhibition “PranverArt” in Tirana. Then, more than 60 artists present their works using different visual art techniques, including painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Organizers Lazar Taçi and Maksim Bushi lead the exhibition. Next, the gallery welcomes a large number of visitors …

News

‘The Economic Times’: Albania’s Durrës among Europe’s top affordable coastal destinations

TIRANA, April 22 – An article in The Economic Times highlights Albania as part of Europe’s leading affordable coastal destinations. The report notes that summer holidays across the continent do not need to be expensive. It places Durrës among the key locations recommended for summer 2026. Durrës is presented as …

News

Albania to see light rain across most areas, weather service says

TIRANA, April 22 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face unstable weather on Wednesday. The country will experience cloudy conditions and intermittent light rain in most areas. Rainfall may intensify locally in the south and east. Short periods of moderate showers are expected. In mountain areas, thunderstorms may …

News

Albania pledges stronger environmental policies in regional cooperation push

TIRANA, April 22 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj hosted a regional meeting in Albania. Participants included representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. International partners also joined the talks. The discussions focused on environmental cooperation in the Mediterranean region. Jaupaj said the platform aims to strengthen regional cooperation. He said …

News

Lamallari: public space near Vjosa River freed after 15 years

Besfort Lamallari announced that a public space near the Vjosa River has been freed from stored seized assets. He said the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets continues to clear public areas that were occupied for years. In this case, the site had been used for storing …

News

Delphi Economic Forum opens in Greece, PM Rama meets PM Mitsotakis and European leaders

TIRANA, April 22 – The Delphi Economic Forum opens today in Greece, bringing together political leaders, business representatives, academics, and experts from around the world. The event runs until 25 April and focuses on global challenges and international dialogue. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama attends the forum, accompanied by his …

News

Kumbaro: EU approves draft for Education Services Agency

Mirela Kumbaro says the European Commission has approved the draft law for the creation of the Education Services Agency. The discussion takes place in the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Sports, where lawmakers debate the proposed legislation. Committee chair Luçiano Boçi raises concerns about transparency, autonomy, and possible conflicts …

News

Albania to Play Friendly Match Against Luxembourg on June 6 at “Air Albania”

Albania will return to the field in June. The national team will play a friendly match. The Albanian Football Federation has reached an agreement with Luxembourg. The two teams will face each other in a friendly match. They will play on June 6 at 20:00. The match will take place …

News

Albanian ambassador tells The Guardian UK media and politicians “demonise” Albanians

TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Uran Ferizi, has accused parts of the British media and right-wing politicians of “demonising” Albanians. He made the remarks in an open letter published by The Guardian, highlighting what he described as growing public stigma. Ferizi said Albanian communities in …

News

Norfolk NATO Festival highlights Albania’s culture and tradition

TIRANA, April 22 – The Norfolk NATO Festival opened in Norfolk, Virginia, bringing together NATO member countries in a celebration of international cooperation. The annual event featured flag-raising ceremonies and cultural exhibitions in the city centre. Organisers held the traditional NATO flag-raising ceremony in April to mark the official opening …