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Begaj in Slovenia: Communication between the two countries is at a high level

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj was in Slovenia for an official visit. The head of state said that the relations between the two states are good and that the political dialogue is at a high level. He said that Albania considers Slovenia as a partner, not only regionally, …

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‘Brother, Tiger!’ SMS Exchanges Reveal Disgraced Albanian Politician’s Ties to Fugitive Businessman

Data from the investigation file obtained by BIRN shows Albania’s former Deputy PM Arben Ahmetaj – charged with corruption and money laundering – had a close relationship with Mirel Mërtiri, a controversial businessman now on the run, at least since 2012. Original post Here

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AIIS hosts Foreign Policy Forum with UAE Ambassador

TIRANA – On July 6, 2023, the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) organized its signature Foreign Policy Forum welcoming as a keynote speaker H.E. Sulaiman Hamed Salem Almazroui, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Hellenic Republic and nonresident ambassador to Albania.  The forum, entitled “The UAE between the …

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Former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj leaves Albania ahead of approval of arrest request on corruption charges

TIRANA, July 12, 2023 – Representatives of the ruling Socialist Party and the opposition in the Council of Mandates of Albania’s parliament reached an agreement on Wednesday to open the way for the Special Prosecutor’s request to arrest former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj on corruption charges.  However, the Socialists …

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Rama meets Macron in Vilnius, President of France is preparing to come in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Vilnius, Lithuania. He says that the French president is preparing to come to Tirana, as part of the Albania, as a NATO member country, has proven its commitment and seriousness, taking concrete steps to …

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Attack on former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja, the Court leaves in prison Ramazan Rraja

The Special Court has rejected Ramazan Rraja’s request for a change in the security measure and has not change the meausure the arrest and imprisonment decision. Rraja was arrested as the person who provided the conditions for the assassination of former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja and for carrying weapons without a …

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Korca’s teachers haven’t been paid for work in June

About 200 teachers in Korca and Maliq have not yet received their salary for the month of June.  According to the head of the Education Union in Korça, the reason for the delay is the treasury, which has not yet disbursed the salaries. According to him, there are also teachers …

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Under Spain’s EU Presidency, the Issue of the Western Balkans Will Be Sidelined

Spain’s 6-month presidency of the Council of the EU has been upended by a snap election in July. Yet regardless of who wins that vote, prospects for progress on the issue of EU enlargement are poor. Original post Here

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Albania Pressed to Act Over Currency’s Unexplained Rise

The rapid rise in the value of Albania’s currency, the lek, is alarming exporters and tourist operators – but the government is unwilling to take action. Original post Here

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A 31-year-old thief arrested in Tirana

A 31-year-old man from Kamza was arrested on charges of theft this Wednesday. He was put in handcuffs, as it is suspected that on July 10 he stole work tools in two different businesses. In the meantime, the young man is expected to be interrogated about the motives that led …

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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos visits Kosova today

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visits Kosova today. She will meet Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Prishtina. Both sides hold a joint press conference at 10:45, according to the Office of the Prime Minister. Kosova hosts Kos during her first visit to the country …

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Hammond highlights Albania’s progress in digital transformation

TIRANA, May 15 – Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Kathryn Hammond highlighted the importance of cyber security during an event presenting American cyber security solutions. She linked cyber security to economic development and national defence. According to the U.S. Embassy, Hammond said cyber security has become …

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Estonian PM Michal backs Albania’s EU integration, calls country key NATO ally

TIRANA, May 15 – Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Albania as an important NATO ally during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Estonia. He also expressed Estonia’s support for Albania’s European Union integration. Michal highlighted cooperation between the two countries within the NATO alliance. He …

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PM Rama: Estonia roadmap for Albania in digital transformation and education

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama praised Estonia’s model of technological development and digital innovation during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Tallinn on Friday. Rama described Estonia as a “laboratory of the future” and said the Baltic country has built a modern …

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Board cuts diesel price by 3 ALL, sets ceiling at 198 ALL per litre

TIRANA, May 15 – Albania’s Transparency Board set new fuel price ceilings on Friday and lowered the diesel price by 3 ALL per litre. According to the decision taken at the May 15 meeting, the retail price of SSH EN 590 diesel will not exceed 198 ALL per litre, while …

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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos begins visit to Kosova

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos arrived in Kosova on Friday. She will meet senior state leaders in Prishtina. Kos was received in the morning by acting President Albulena Haxhiu. She will later meet acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The agenda of the talks has …

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Eurovision final running order released, Albania to perform fifth with Alis and “Nân”

TIRANA, May 15 – Organisers released the running order for the Eurovision Song Contest final. Albania will perform fifth, represented by Alis with the song “Nân.” Alis secured a place in the final after the second semi-final in Vienna. The artist delivered a strong performance at the Wiener Stadthalle and …

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Defense Minister Nufi: Albania focuses on air defence, cyber capabilities

TIRANA, May 15 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania remains a reliable NATO ally and continues efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and the country’s military industry. During a press conference, Nufi described the development of military and technological capacities as a key priority for the Armed Forces. He …

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Estonian PM Michal: Direct Tallinn–Tirana flights open new opportunities for tourism and business

TIRANA, May 15 – Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said direct flights between Tallinn and Tirana will create new opportunities for tourism, citizens and businesses between the two countries. He made the statement during a joint press conference in Estonia with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Michal said Albania and Estonia …

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PM Rama said Albania wants to see Estonian technology innovators in Albania, longer direct flight season

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama thanked Estonia for its support to Albania’s EU accession process during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. He said Albania expects to move quickly to the next phase of negotiations. Rama said Albania will continue work on closing …

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EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos visits Kosova today

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visits Kosova today. She will meet Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Prishtina. Both sides hold a joint press conference at 10:45, according to the Office of the Prime Minister. Kosova hosts Kos during her first visit to the country …

News

Hammond highlights Albania’s progress in digital transformation

TIRANA, May 15 – Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Kathryn Hammond highlighted the importance of cyber security during an event presenting American cyber security solutions. She linked cyber security to economic development and national defence. According to the U.S. Embassy, Hammond said cyber security has become …

News

Estonian PM Michal backs Albania’s EU integration, calls country key NATO ally

TIRANA, May 15 – Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Albania as an important NATO ally during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama in Estonia. He also expressed Estonia’s support for Albania’s European Union integration. Michal highlighted cooperation between the two countries within the NATO alliance. He …

News

PM Rama: Estonia roadmap for Albania in digital transformation and education

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama praised Estonia’s model of technological development and digital innovation during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Tallinn on Friday. Rama described Estonia as a “laboratory of the future” and said the Baltic country has built a modern …

News

Board cuts diesel price by 3 ALL, sets ceiling at 198 ALL per litre

TIRANA, May 15 – Albania’s Transparency Board set new fuel price ceilings on Friday and lowered the diesel price by 3 ALL per litre. According to the decision taken at the May 15 meeting, the retail price of SSH EN 590 diesel will not exceed 198 ALL per litre, while …

News

EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos begins visit to Kosova

TIRANA, May 15 – European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos arrived in Kosova on Friday. She will meet senior state leaders in Prishtina. Kos was received in the morning by acting President Albulena Haxhiu. She will later meet acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The agenda of the talks has …

News

Eurovision final running order released, Albania to perform fifth with Alis and “Nân”

TIRANA, May 15 – Organisers released the running order for the Eurovision Song Contest final. Albania will perform fifth, represented by Alis with the song “Nân.” Alis secured a place in the final after the second semi-final in Vienna. The artist delivered a strong performance at the Wiener Stadthalle and …

News

Defense Minister Nufi: Albania focuses on air defence, cyber capabilities

TIRANA, May 15 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania remains a reliable NATO ally and continues efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and the country’s military industry. During a press conference, Nufi described the development of military and technological capacities as a key priority for the Armed Forces. He …

News

Estonian PM Michal: Direct Tallinn–Tirana flights open new opportunities for tourism and business

TIRANA, May 15 – Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said direct flights between Tallinn and Tirana will create new opportunities for tourism, citizens and businesses between the two countries. He made the statement during a joint press conference in Estonia with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Michal said Albania and Estonia …

News

PM Rama said Albania wants to see Estonian technology innovators in Albania, longer direct flight season

TIRANA, May 15 – Prime Minister Edi Rama thanked Estonia for its support to Albania’s EU accession process during a joint press conference with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. He said Albania expects to move quickly to the next phase of negotiations. Rama said Albania will continue work on closing …