Today the decision on Arben Ahmetaj’ arrest
The Council of Mandates meets this Tuesday at 16:00, to consider the request of SPAK for the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. The Special Prosecutor’s Office asked the assembly for permission to arrest the former finance minister and former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj at the same …
Begaj: Vilnius Summit, crucial to Euro-Atlantic security
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj declared Tuesday that the NATO meeting in Vilnius is a decisive moment for the Euro-Atlantic security. Through a social media statement at the beginning of the NATO summit in Lithuania, Begaj underlined that Albania continues to be steadfast in supporting the Alliance’s efforts to …
Op/Ed: Remembering the Srebrenica Genocide
by George Monastiriakos In 1993, one year into the Bosnian War, the United Nations declared “safe areas” in the Muslim enclaves of Republika Srpska to protect Bosniak refugees fleeing from the violence. Security Council Resolution 819 designated the city of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia as a “safe area.” Security Council …
Albania Ruling Party Postpones Controversial Lustration Legislation
After an EU intervention, ruling Socialist Party MPs postponed the approval of legal changes that critics claim are intended to target former President Ilir Meta for alleged collaboration with the Communist-era intelligence service. Original post Here
Albania Prosecutors Seek Former Deputy PM Arben Ahmetaj’s Arrest
Prosecutors want parliamentary immunity lifted so that former Deputy PM Arben Ahmetaj can be arrested on charges of corruption and money laundering. Original post Here
Op/Ed: The sacrifice of a spotless shirt
By DEMUSH SHASHA While 20 seconds of Ambassador Hill’s tweets shatter 20 years of illusion in Kosovo, they are also useful starting points for reassessing our way forward. Our way forward is the quagmire, where Kurti’s political clean shirt must be submerged to pull us out of the deluge in …
Socialist MP resigns following vicious beating perpetrated by MP’s family members, MoI sacked
TIRANA, July 8 – A controversial ruling party MP in Albania has resigned after his son and two brothers were detained by police in connection with the vicious beating of two men near their home town of Fushë Krujë. The beating, filmed and distributed on social media by the assailants, …
Tirana mayor attends environment conference in Budapest
The Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj has travelled to Hungary to participate in the Conference on Environment and Health that is being held in Budapest. Veliaj, in a post on social networks, writes that he shares the experience of Tirana at the conference. While he added that he visited the …
Korça university will not be closed
The Minister of Education, Evis Kushi, in a statement to the media, clarified that the University of Korça, “Fan Noli” will not be closed and will continue its work in the new academic year. Kushi said that there have been proposals for its closure but no definitive decisions, where she …
MP of the Socialist Party, Rrahman Rraja hands over his mandate
SP Deputy Rrahman Rraja hands over his mandate. The decision comes after the equal violence that the Rraja family exerted against two cousins in Borizana, part of which was the brother and son of the SP deputy. “I have no words to express the embarrassment towards all those who have …
Taulant Balla supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He posts on social media. He backs their demand. Students want the bar exam in Albanian. Balla says the request is legitimate. He says the constitution already recognizes this right. Yet, it is not applied in practice. He calls for action. …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They first met in Tirana. Later, they continued talks in Durrës. Both sides confirmed strong relations. They also confirmed mutual trust and a strong partnership. Hoxha said both …
Opposition MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso meet today with Scott Bates. They discuss with the National Democratic Institute director for Europe. Zhupa leads the discussion. She focuses on transparency. She pushes for inclusion. She demands stronger Parliament oversight. The MPs raise concerns. They highlight challenges facing the opposition. They …
The Embassy of the United States in Albania honors 13 Albanian employees who retire after more than 25 years of service. The embassy holds a ceremony. It invites colleagues and family members. It recognizes long service and dedication. Nancy VanHorn presents U.S. flags to the retirees. She thanks them for …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi meets today with Scott Bates. They discuss cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the National Democratic Institute. Peleshi focuses on transparency. He emphasizes accountability. He pushes for modernization of parliamentary processes. Both sides highlight long-term cooperation. They strengthen the Parliamentary Institute as a success …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of South Korea (May 17–21). His wife, Linda Rama, and an official delegation accompany him. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. It also seeks to expand partnership in development, technology, and innovation. Rama arrives …
President Bajram Begaj met today with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They discussed relations between Albania and Qatar. Begaj praised strong ties between the two countries. He highlighted good cooperation and called for stronger political and economic relations. He also supported increased Qatari …
The European Union supports Albania and Kosovo in improving plant production and plant health monitoring through the “EU4Trade” project. As part of the initiative, inspectors from the General Directorate of Plant Protection and regional veterinary and plant protection authorities from both countries met in Prizren over the weekend. They attend …
President Bajram Begaj meets today participants of the High Course on Security and Defence at the Albanian Armed Forces College. Representatives from security institutions and allied countries attend the meeting. These include Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Kosovo, Poland, and Jordan. Begaj praises the course. He highlights cooperation among …
Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He praises the protest. He calls it peaceful and civic. He describes it as a European example. Vengu says students defend the Albanian language in professional exams. He says they show strong civic energy. He states that the …