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Heir to Albanian throne, wife announce they are divorcing

TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2024 – Crown Prince Leka, grandson of the late King Zog of Albania, and his wife, actress Elia Zaharia, have announced in separate statements that they have started divorce proceedings.  The announcements come after weeks of speculation in the Albanian press after the couple did not appear …

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Foreign minister visits North Macedonia, agenda revealed

Foreign Minister Igli Hasani will visit this Wednesday North Macedonia on Wednesday as part of a three-day regional tour, after being to Kosovo on Tuesday. During the visit, Minister Hasani will be met by his counterpart Bujar Osmani, with whom he will hold a meeting at 08:50, while they are …

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Ambassador Hoxha moved to EU after finishing term in UNSC

Government has decided that after the end of Albania’s mandate in the UN Security Council, it will move Ambassador Ferit Hoxha to the EU. Graduated in 1988 at the Faculty of Foreign Languages; French Language and Culture, University of Tirana, Albania. He also graduated from the Dutch Institute of International …

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Sessions on former PM Berisha’s questioning postponed by SPAK

Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has accepted this Wednesday the requests of the lawyers of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Jamarbër Malltez, postponing the interrogation sessions for next week. Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha was summoned on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to the Special Prosecutor’s Office to be questioned as …

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PM met footwear business representatives, discussions revealed

Prime Minister Edi Rama held this Wednesday a meeting with representatives of the footwear business this Wednesday. In a social media statement, the head of government said that the discussions have focused on the needs for further transformation of the sector, the support measures that must be taken to overcome …

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Foreign Minister Hasani’s agenda on Kosovo visit unveiled

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani will start this Tuesday the three-day tour in the region with Kosovo. During today’s visit, he will hold meetings with political leaders in Kosovo, including his counterpart Donika Gërvalla, President Vjosa Osmani, and heads of political parties. However, meeting with Prime Minister …

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Fier apartment engulfed by flames

A fire broke out during the night on the 9th floor of a multi-storey building in the “Apollonia” neighborhood in the city of Fier. Flames are suspected to have started as a result of an electrical spark, while there was only one elderly person with vision problems in the apartment. …

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Minister Hasani calls on Serbia to not send army in border with Kosovo

Albania’s Foreign Minister, Igli Hasani underlined Tuesday that Serbia should give up actions such as sending the army to the border with Kosovo. In the conference with counterpart Donika Gërvalla, he was asked about the risk of other attacks like the one that happened in Banjska a few months ago, …

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RENEA’s action to arrest Eljon Hatos fails

ENEA forces and those of the police of Shkodra have carried out a surprise control in a residence in the village of Grudë in Shkodra in search of Eljon Hato, declared wanted for the “Metamorfoza” file, also known as a friend of Ervis Martinaj. Controls were carried out in his …

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Minister for public administration and anticorruption decreed

President Bajram Begaj has decreed the appointment of Adea Pirden as the head of the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anticorruption. This decision has come few days after Prime Minister Edi Rama proposed the approval of the new member of the government cabinet to head this newly created …

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STRASBOURG – European Parliament Approves Amendment on the Albanian Language in North Macedonia’s Bar Exam

The European Parliament approved the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) report on North Macedonia, prepared by permanent rapporteur Thomas Waitz. The report assessed the findings of the European Commission. It highlighted the lack of progress in judicial reforms and anti-corruption efforts. In addition, it urged the country to implement constitutional amendments …

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Nufi Meets Senior Pentagon Official: Strong Commitment to Peace, Stability, and Collective Defense

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met senior Pentagon official Elbridge A. Colby in Washington today. During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on the strategic challenges shaping the Euro-Atlantic security environment. Nufi emphasized that the partnership between Albania and the United States is built on shared values, mutual trust, and …

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New Property Tax Bill Proposes Market-Value Assessment with Rates of 0.1%–0.2% for Homes

The Ministry of Finance of Albania has opened a new draft law on property tax for public consultation. The reform aims to fundamentally change Albania’s property taxation system by introducing a market-value-based model and increasing local government revenues. Under the proposed legislation, revenue from property tax will remain a local …

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Meloni: EU Approves Historic Return Regulation, Albanian Model Sets the Example

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the European Parliament’s approval of the new EU return regulation as a major achievement for Italy and Europe. Speaking in a video message from the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, Meloni said the regulation marks a historic decision. She added that the measure largely reflects …

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Business-Customs Forum Focuses on Transparency, Efficiency, and Trade Facilitation

The General Directorate of Customs and the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania held the Business-Customs Forum today. Participants focused on European integration, digital transformation of customs services, and measures to simplify procedures for businesses. The forum brought together customs officials and business representatives. They discussed customs procedures, the investment …

News
New Air Route Links Albania and Romania as TAROM Launches Flights to Tirana

Tirana International Airport expanded its international network as it welcomed the inaugural flight of TAROM today. The airline launched operations in Tirana and opened a new weekly route. It will operate one flight every Wednesday during the summer season. The new connection strengthens air links between Albania and Romania. It …

News
European Parliament Progress Report on Albania, Hoxha Calls Vote Confirmation of Reform Progress and EU Path

Ferit Hoxha said the European Parliament’s approval of the progress report for Albania confirmed strong support for the country’s EU membership path. He stated that the European Parliament also recognized significant progress achieved in key reform areas. The Parliament adopted the report with a large majority, including 483 votes in …

News
Gogu Meets Dutch Counterpart in Strasbourg, Focus on Justice Cooperation and Organized Crime

Toni Gogu held talks in Strasbourg today with Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel. The two officials focused on bilateral cooperation in justice and Albania’s European integration process. Gogu described the Netherlands as a demanding but constructive partner. He said both sides discuss results and concrete projects that help Albania …

News
Actor Gjergji Lala Passes Away at 79

Gjergji Lala, one of the well-known figures of Albanian cinematography, has died at the age of 79. He passed away in a hospital in Italy after a long illness. The news marks the end of a career that spanned decades in both theatre and film. Audiences remember Lala especially for …

News
European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Kosovo: Reforms and Progress in Dialogue Key to European Path

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Kosovo, stating that reforms and progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue remain crucial to the country’s European path. The resolution was approved with 412 votes in favor, 174 against, and 58 abstentions. “Continued reforms and progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue remain key to …

News

STRASBOURG – European Parliament Approves Amendment on the Albanian Language in North Macedonia’s Bar Exam

The European Parliament approved the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) report on North Macedonia, prepared by permanent rapporteur Thomas Waitz. The report assessed the findings of the European Commission. It highlighted the lack of progress in judicial reforms and anti-corruption efforts. In addition, it urged the country to implement constitutional amendments …

News

Nufi Meets Senior Pentagon Official: Strong Commitment to Peace, Stability, and Collective Defense

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met senior Pentagon official Elbridge A. Colby in Washington today. During the meeting, the two officials exchanged views on the strategic challenges shaping the Euro-Atlantic security environment. Nufi emphasized that the partnership between Albania and the United States is built on shared values, mutual trust, and …

News

New Property Tax Bill Proposes Market-Value Assessment with Rates of 0.1%–0.2% for Homes

The Ministry of Finance of Albania has opened a new draft law on property tax for public consultation. The reform aims to fundamentally change Albania’s property taxation system by introducing a market-value-based model and increasing local government revenues. Under the proposed legislation, revenue from property tax will remain a local …

News

Meloni: EU Approves Historic Return Regulation, Albanian Model Sets the Example

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the European Parliament’s approval of the new EU return regulation as a major achievement for Italy and Europe. Speaking in a video message from the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, Meloni said the regulation marks a historic decision. She added that the measure largely reflects …

News

Business-Customs Forum Focuses on Transparency, Efficiency, and Trade Facilitation

The General Directorate of Customs and the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania held the Business-Customs Forum today. Participants focused on European integration, digital transformation of customs services, and measures to simplify procedures for businesses. The forum brought together customs officials and business representatives. They discussed customs procedures, the investment …

News

New Air Route Links Albania and Romania as TAROM Launches Flights to Tirana

Tirana International Airport expanded its international network as it welcomed the inaugural flight of TAROM today. The airline launched operations in Tirana and opened a new weekly route. It will operate one flight every Wednesday during the summer season. The new connection strengthens air links between Albania and Romania. It …

News

European Parliament Progress Report on Albania, Hoxha Calls Vote Confirmation of Reform Progress and EU Path

Ferit Hoxha said the European Parliament’s approval of the progress report for Albania confirmed strong support for the country’s EU membership path. He stated that the European Parliament also recognized significant progress achieved in key reform areas. The Parliament adopted the report with a large majority, including 483 votes in …

News

Gogu Meets Dutch Counterpart in Strasbourg, Focus on Justice Cooperation and Organized Crime

Toni Gogu held talks in Strasbourg today with Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel. The two officials focused on bilateral cooperation in justice and Albania’s European integration process. Gogu described the Netherlands as a demanding but constructive partner. He said both sides discuss results and concrete projects that help Albania …

News

Actor Gjergji Lala Passes Away at 79

Gjergji Lala, one of the well-known figures of Albanian cinematography, has died at the age of 79. He passed away in a hospital in Italy after a long illness. The news marks the end of a career that spanned decades in both theatre and film. Audiences remember Lala especially for …

News

European Parliament Adopts Resolution on Kosovo: Reforms and Progress in Dialogue Key to European Path

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on Kosovo, stating that reforms and progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue remain crucial to the country’s European path. The resolution was approved with 412 votes in favor, 174 against, and 58 abstentions. “Continued reforms and progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue remain key to …