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Import of Italian wine: Albania and Italy agree technical solution

TIRANA, May 11 – Albania and Italy agreed on a technical solution to address issues affecting Italian wine imports into Albania. The agreement enables the normal continuation of procedures for economic operators. In a formal statement, Albanian Customs said the Italian Customs Agency accepted the proposal submitted by the Albanian …

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Brussels meeting: FM Hoxha says EU enlargement is a strategic choice for peace and stability

TIRANA, May 11 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in an informal meeting between EU foreign ministers and counterparts from the Western Balkans, held at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. At the meeting, Hoxha said Albania …

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EU Condemns Attacks Against Ambassador Gonzato

European Union condemned the statements made by Sali Berisha against EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato. In a social media post, the EU Delegation in Tirana shared a statement from a European Union spokesperson. The statement described the remarks against Ambassador Gonzato as unacceptable. The EU strongly condemned the personal attacks made …

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Rama: Albania Closer Than Ever to EU Membership

Edi Rama declared that Albania has entered a key stage in its European Union integration process. First, he said the country is closer than ever to joining the EU. Then, he stated that the European Commission report confirms Albania is ready to enter the chapter-closing phase of negotiations. Meanwhile, Rama …

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EU Ambassadors in Albania Reaffirm Support for Gonzato

German Embassy in Tirana expresses strong support for EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato. First, EU ambassadors in Albania publish a joint statement on Europe Day. Then, they reaffirm their full confidence in Gonzato and his team. Meanwhile, they highlight professionalism, integrity, and dedicated service. In addition, they share the message through …

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Edi Rama said Albania will strengthen the role of municipalities in the European Union accession process. He presented the new program “EU4Municipalities II,” supported by the European Union. Then, he said the initiative aims to modernize local governance across the country.  He spoke during his “Flasim” podcast about the importance …

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Rama: World Law Congress in Tirana Shows Justice Transformation

Tirana hosted the opening session of the World Law Congress, one of the most important international platforms on the rule of law. First, Edi Rama said the event marks a historic moment for Albania. Then, he described the congress as proof of an “epochal transformation” in the country’s justice system. …

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Kosovo to Host EU Commissioner for Enlargement Next Week

Marta Kos will visit Pristina on May 15 for her first official trip to Kosovo since taking office. First, EU sources confirm that the visit will take place next week, pending official announcement. Then, officials note that she has already visited all other Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries involved …

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Sheshi “Italia” Transforms into Stage for Morricone Tribute Night

Sheshi “Italia” in Tirana turned into a large stage of artistic emotion as the music of Ennio Morricone filled the city during a special Europe Day concert. First, the event titled “Morricone Conducts Morricone” brought conductor Andrea Morricone on stage, who led the RTSH Symphony Orchestra in performing some of …

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From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

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Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

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European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …

News
Rama reiterates call for dialogue: You are welcome, whenever and wherever you want, without conditions. We are ready!

Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, urging them to distance themselves from acts of violence, stone-throwing and arson attacks against institutions. Rama stressed that the government is ready to hold talks at any time and without preconditions, while calling on protest organisers to set …

News
Ervin Demo: The right to protest is guaranteed, violence cannot be justified and offenders will be held accountable under the law

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests of recent days, stressing that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and that the State Police have a duty to ensure demonstrations take place peacefully. Demo emphasised that police intervention will only take place when necessary …

News
Protests in Europe and Albania, Council of Europe Secretary General reacts

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has reacted to the wave of protests sweeping several European countries in a post on the social media platform X. In his statement, Berset also mentioned Albania, highlighting the causes of social discontent as well as the violent incidents that …

News
US State Department report: Albania successfully responded to Iranian cyberattacks, US provided $25 million in cybersecurity assistance

Albania has been featured in a US State Department report on the security of digital infrastructure in developing countries, in which Washington acknowledges the progress made following the Iran-backed cyberattack in 2022. In the document submitted to the US Congress, the State Department states that the United States responded to …

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Montenegro Seeks to Resolve Disputes with Croatia Ahead of EU Membership

Montenegro has taken steps to resolve disputes with Croatia that could hinder Podgorica’s ambition to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Last week, Zagreb circulated an eight-point list to other EU member states, outlining issues it wants resolved before Montenegro joins the bloc. Most of the …

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Sunday’s Student Protest: Police Arrest 69, Launch Criminal Proceedings Against 20

Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding Sunday’s student protest, confirming that 69 people have been arrested and another 20 are facing criminal proceedings. The arrests were made after the suspects allegedly attacked police officers and damaged public and private institutional buildings using stones and other hard objects. “Tirana/Following …

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First Aid Tents Set Up Behind Prime Minister’s Office for Injured Police Officers

Several first aid tents have been set up this Monday behind the Prime Minister’s Office to provide medical assistance to police officers injured during the student protests. As seen in the footage, the tents are also equipped with tables to facilitate the provision of first aid. Dozens of police officers …

News

“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

News

Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

News

European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …

News

Rama reiterates call for dialogue: You are welcome, whenever and wherever you want, without conditions. We are ready!

Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, urging them to distance themselves from acts of violence, stone-throwing and arson attacks against institutions. Rama stressed that the government is ready to hold talks at any time and without preconditions, while calling on protest organisers to set …

News

Ervin Demo: The right to protest is guaranteed, violence cannot be justified and offenders will be held accountable under the law

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests of recent days, stressing that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and that the State Police have a duty to ensure demonstrations take place peacefully. Demo emphasised that police intervention will only take place when necessary …

News

Protests in Europe and Albania, Council of Europe Secretary General reacts

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has reacted to the wave of protests sweeping several European countries in a post on the social media platform X. In his statement, Berset also mentioned Albania, highlighting the causes of social discontent as well as the violent incidents that …

News

US State Department report: Albania successfully responded to Iranian cyberattacks, US provided $25 million in cybersecurity assistance

Albania has been featured in a US State Department report on the security of digital infrastructure in developing countries, in which Washington acknowledges the progress made following the Iran-backed cyberattack in 2022. In the document submitted to the US Congress, the State Department states that the United States responded to …

News

Montenegro Seeks to Resolve Disputes with Croatia Ahead of EU Membership

Montenegro has taken steps to resolve disputes with Croatia that could hinder Podgorica’s ambition to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Last week, Zagreb circulated an eight-point list to other EU member states, outlining issues it wants resolved before Montenegro joins the bloc. Most of the …

News

Sunday’s Student Protest: Police Arrest 69, Launch Criminal Proceedings Against 20

Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding Sunday’s student protest, confirming that 69 people have been arrested and another 20 are facing criminal proceedings. The arrests were made after the suspects allegedly attacked police officers and damaged public and private institutional buildings using stones and other hard objects. “Tirana/Following …

News

First Aid Tents Set Up Behind Prime Minister’s Office for Injured Police Officers

Several first aid tents have been set up this Monday behind the Prime Minister’s Office to provide medical assistance to police officers injured during the student protests. As seen in the footage, the tents are also equipped with tables to facilitate the provision of first aid. Dozens of police officers …