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Growing Diaspora Vote Becomes Game-Changer in Balkan Elections

Balkan diaspora communities are expanding in size, becoming more interested in electoral battles back home – and are increasingly aware of their key role in shaping outcomes in an important year for elections across the region. Original post Here

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Anti-Corruption Fight in Balkans Sees Progress, But Also Regression: Report

A new report on the Western Balkans and Turkey by watchdog organisation Transparency International says the progress against corruption made by a number of countries is counter-balanced by backsliding in others. Original post Here

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Euro 2024 Becomes Arena for Balkan Nationalist Score-Settling

Matches at Euro 2024 involving Albania, Croatia and Serbia have been marred by nationalist chants and banners that are not uncommon in the Balkans, but were given a bigger stage by the showpiece football tournament. Original post Here

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27,000 euros through fraud at the workplace, one arrested

A 34-year-old man was arrested by the Tirana police for the criminal offenses of “Fraud”, “Forgery of documents” and “Forgery of seals, stamps or forms”. Rizar Alibali from Shkodra is accused of embezzling 27,000 euros through fraud and presenting suspected falsified documents (mandates) at his workplace. The 34-year-old, being employed …

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The extradition of Durim Bami from Dubai/ Balla: We have all the instruments to bring him before Albanian justice

A few days ago, the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) submitted the request to the Ministry of Justice for the extradition of Durim Bami. In this regard, Interior Minister Taulant Balla has declared that the authorities have all the tools to bring Bami and all cases like him to justice. “This …

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“Berisha cannot be the political offer that Albanians deserve”, Alibeaj leaves the Democratic Party group

Enkelejd Alibeaj will no longer be part of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party. Through a long post on social networks, Alibeaj said that his election comes as a sign of respect for the court’s decision, which gave Sali Berisha the seal of the Democratic Party. According to Alibeaj, …

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Begaj meeting with his counterpart: Germany, support for the advancement of reforms in Albania

The President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, held a face-to-face meeting in Berlin with the President of the FRG, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. They have held discussions on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation and the integration of Albania in the EU. Therefore, Begaj thanked President Steinmeier for his contribution to strengthening relations and …

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SPAK requests the extradition of Durim Bami from Dubai, submits the request to the Ministry of Justice

The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has submitted the request to the Ministry of Justice for the extradition of Durim Bami. Durim Bami was arrested a few days ago in Dubai following an arrest warrant issued by the Special Prosecutor’s Office. “SPAK has submitted the request to the Ministry of Justice. …

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Tnt explosive to the officer’s car in Shkodër, first details

A quantity of explosives was planted in the vehicle of a police officer in Shkodër. According to preliminary information, the incident happened around 04:00, in the “Tepe” neighborhood of the city. The vehicle of the 59-year-old Kastriot Selimaj – a traffic policeman in DVP Shkodër, was parked in the yard …

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Llogara tunnel to be opened on July 5

The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, informed Tuesday that the tunnel of Llogara will be opened on July 5. In a message in the social media, Rama said that this new infrastructure will reduce the distance towards South of the country. The tunnel will be opened first for the vehicles …

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Rama joins Paris summit on Ukraine at Macron’s invitation

Prime Minister Edi Rama joined the Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris on Sunday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit brought together heads of state and government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to coordinate international support for Ukraine. During the …

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EU Ambassador Gonzato encourages young people to drive Albania’s EU integration

EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato called on young Albanians to defend their rights and take an active role in shaping their future. During the weekend, Gonzato met young participants at RinCamp, organized by the National Youth Agency. During the discussion, he stressed that young people are not only beneficiaries …

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Albania condemns Iran’s attacks on Gulf Arab states, says Hoxha

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha strongly condemned Iran’s recent attacks on Gulf Arab states, calling them a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. In a statement on X, Hoxha said the attacks further escalate tensions, undermine regional stability and pose a serious threat to international …

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Albania honors US military officer for strengthening defense cooperation

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi awarded the “Golden Medal of Military Service” to US Army Lieutenant Colonel Joshua A. Magnusson after he completed his mandate as head of the US Military Group in Albania. The medal recognized Magnusson’s contribution to strengthening the partnership between the United States and the Albanian Armed …

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Bank of Albania highlights record-low non-performing loans in meeting with EBRD

Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko met with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by its new Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs. During the meeting, Sejko presented the latest economic and financial developments in Albania and said the economy is expected …

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Rama: “Open Balkan” was controversial because of its political backers, not its objectives

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the “Open Balkan” initiative was considered “a terrible idea” only because he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić backed it. “It was a terrible idea for one reason only: Vučić and I were behind it. If we removed our names and replaced them with five others, …

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Berisha Attends IDC-CDI General Assembly in Brussels as Organization’s Vice President

*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha is attending the General Assembly of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) in Brussels, where he serves as one of the organization’s Vice Presidents. The assembly has brought together political leaders, former presidents, Members of the European …

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Penal Amnesty: Around 60 Inmates to Be Released from Drenova Prison

*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Around 60 inmates at Drenova Prison are expected to be released under Albania’s new penal amnesty law, which is scheduled to be implemented on July 15. Under the amnesty, eligible male prisoners will receive a one-year sentence reduction, while eligible female …

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Ombudsman Raises Alarm Over Conditions at Shënkoll Prison: “It Should Be a High-Security Hospital, Not a Prison with Two Psychiatrists”

Albania’s Ombudsman is carrying out an unannounced inspection on Monday and Tuesday at the Shënkoll Prison Institution as part of its mandate as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. According to the Ombudsman, the preliminary findings are deeply concerning. The inspection team identified severe overcrowding in accommodation facilities and a …

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Parliament joins 51st Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …

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Rama joins Paris summit on Ukraine at Macron’s invitation

Prime Minister Edi Rama joined the Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris on Sunday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit brought together heads of state and government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to coordinate international support for Ukraine. During the …

News

EU Ambassador Gonzato encourages young people to drive Albania’s EU integration

EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato called on young Albanians to defend their rights and take an active role in shaping their future. During the weekend, Gonzato met young participants at RinCamp, organized by the National Youth Agency. During the discussion, he stressed that young people are not only beneficiaries …

News

Albania condemns Iran’s attacks on Gulf Arab states, says Hoxha

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha strongly condemned Iran’s recent attacks on Gulf Arab states, calling them a violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. In a statement on X, Hoxha said the attacks further escalate tensions, undermine regional stability and pose a serious threat to international …

News

Albania honors US military officer for strengthening defense cooperation

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi awarded the “Golden Medal of Military Service” to US Army Lieutenant Colonel Joshua A. Magnusson after he completed his mandate as head of the US Military Group in Albania. The medal recognized Magnusson’s contribution to strengthening the partnership between the United States and the Albanian Armed …

News

Bank of Albania highlights record-low non-performing loans in meeting with EBRD

Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko met with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by its new Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs. During the meeting, Sejko presented the latest economic and financial developments in Albania and said the economy is expected …

News

Rama: “Open Balkan” was controversial because of its political backers, not its objectives

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the “Open Balkan” initiative was considered “a terrible idea” only because he and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić backed it. “It was a terrible idea for one reason only: Vučić and I were behind it. If we removed our names and replaced them with five others, …

News

Berisha Attends IDC-CDI General Assembly in Brussels as Organization’s Vice President

*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha is attending the General Assembly of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) in Brussels, where he serves as one of the organization’s Vice Presidents. The assembly has brought together political leaders, former presidents, Members of the European …

News

Penal Amnesty: Around 60 Inmates to Be Released from Drenova Prison

*]: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:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Around 60 inmates at Drenova Prison are expected to be released under Albania’s new penal amnesty law, which is scheduled to be implemented on July 15. Under the amnesty, eligible male prisoners will receive a one-year sentence reduction, while eligible female …

News

Ombudsman Raises Alarm Over Conditions at Shënkoll Prison: “It Should Be a High-Security Hospital, Not a Prison with Two Psychiatrists”

Albania’s Ombudsman is carrying out an unannounced inspection on Monday and Tuesday at the Shënkoll Prison Institution as part of its mandate as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. According to the Ombudsman, the preliminary findings are deeply concerning. The inspection team identified severe overcrowding in accommodation facilities and a …

News

Parliament joins 51st Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie

TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …