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Elections/ Meta: We will start the process of legal dispute

“Together We Win” coalition warns of not recognizing the results of the May 14 elections. Ilir Meta seems to have no intention of giving up in the face of the deep defeat on May 14, as he warned that he will start the process of legally contesting the result. Meta …

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Kadare’s ‘Chronicle in Stone’ published in Polish through Marek Jeziorski translation

The book’s translator and former Polish ambassador to Albania, Marek Jeziorski. TIRANA, May 16, 2023 – One of the most famous novels of renowned Albanian author Ismail Kadare is now available to Polish readers through the translation of Marek Jeziorski, Poland’s former ambassador to Albania.  Jeziorski, who spent more than …

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Socialists leading with number of municipal council’s members in Durres

Socialist Party (SP) has gained an initial advantage regarding the number of Durres Municipality Council’s members that have been voted during the May 14 local elections. Central Elections Commission’s (CEC) data showed that in the municipality of Durres, 12 of the 342 polling stations for the municipal councils have been …

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Tirana, man arrested for extorting EUR 70,000 from businessman

A 52-year-old man has been handcuffed this Tuesday by Tirana Police, on the charge of taking large sums of money from businessmen through fraud. Within the coded operation “Architect”, it became possible to arrest 52-year-old Shpëtim Hida, who was caught in the act of deceiving a businessman to extort him …

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Assault rifles found in Vau i Dejës’ house

Police officers located and seized this Tuesday inside a house in Vau i Dejës two firearms, which are suspected to have been used in criminal events. Law enforcement said that the weapons were found hidden in an apartment, which was used by a citizen with the initials P.GJ., who was …

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Veliaj wins 3rd mandate as Tirana’s mayor by huge difference

Erion Veliaj has won a third mandate as Mayor of the Albanian capital, Tirana in the local elections of 14 May 2023. Veliaj has deeply defeated his opponent of the “Together We Win” coalition, Belind Kelliçi, with a difference of 60 thousand votes. From the official data of the Central …

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Teen stabbed in Kamza school knife fight

A 15-year-old has been stabbed this Tuesday noon in the outer premises of a school in Kamza area of Tirana. According to the police, the incident took place outside the “Ahmet Zogu” school. During the physical clash, citizen K. Gj., 18 years old, stabbed a 15-year-old with a cutting tool. …

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Analysis: With low turnout, local elections give insights into grim demographic forecasts

Migration and demographics playing increasing role in Albanian elections TIRANA, May 16, 2023 – Albania’s latest administrative elections marked the lowest turnout ever for a competitive voting process in post-communism, with only about one in three eligible voters casting votes.  The number of people who had the right to vote …

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Elections/ Celibashi: According to the law, the result will be announced today at 22:00

If everything will goes well and the law will be respected, today at 22:00 we will have the result for the local elections for mayors. The statement comes from the head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, at the first press conference today. ” According to the law, by 10:00 p.m. …

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For Tourism-Dependent Balkan States, Foreign Workers Fill Growing Gap

Tourism is a mainstay of the Croatian, Montenegrin and Albanian economies. But growing labour shortages mean hotels, restaurants and bars are increasingly looking abroad for staff. Original post Here

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Sejko Warns Middle East Tensions Threaten Global and Albanian Economy

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, said that tensions in the Middle East remain a major source of risk for the global and Albanian economy. He stressed that the impact of the conflict depends on its duration and intensity. As a result, inflation risks rise, while economic …

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Bank of Albania Keeps Base Interest Rate Unchanged at 2.5%

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. Governor Gent Sejko announced the decision during a press conference. He also said the Council kept the overnight deposit rate unchanged at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%. The …

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VanHorn Praises Albania–US Defense Cooperation at Anniversary Ceremony

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Albania, Nancy VanHorn, attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces. She said the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces train together and strengthen each other. …

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President Begaj Welcomes AADF Chief Granoff and Discusses “Toka” Initiative

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met with Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), along with its executive directors. The discussion focused on the foundation’s latest projects. These projects aim to develop agriculture, tourism, education in artificial intelligence, and stronger links between diaspora researchers and Albanian institutions. …

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EU Ambassador Urges Wider Participation in Lawmaking in Albania

A meeting focused on improving lawmaking and increasing transparency took place today in Tirana. Participants included members of Parliament, state institutions, civil society, and international partners. The discussions focused on more inclusive processes. These processes aim to ensure wider participation and faster alignment with EU standards. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato …

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President Begaj Calls US Strategic Partnership Cornerstone of Albania’s Foreign Policy

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. He said the strategic partnership with the United States is a key pillar of Albania’s foreign policy and security. He described the cooperation as one of the …

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Begaj Attends 25th Anniversary of Albania–US Military Cooperation

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. During the event, officials from Albania and the United States gathered alongside senior defense representatives. In his speech, Begaj stated that the strategic partnership with the United …

News
Gogu: French Justice Minister Visits Albania, a Signal of Trust in the European Path

The Minister of Justice, Toni Gogu, will welcome French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin in Tirana today. He said this is the first time a French Justice Minister has visited Albania. He described the visit as a strong signal of trust in Albania’s European justice reform path. Gogu said the visit …

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Concert Celebrates 80th Birthday of Composer Shpëtim Kushta

The event was organized as part of the project “Nota mbi pentagram,” which was implemented by CEDI with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. During the concert, organizers presented a selection of Kushta’s works, and the program offered audiences an emotional artistic journey. Shpëtim Kushta, born in …

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“Porta e Alpeve”: €50 Million Investment to Transform Shkodër–Shëngjin Tourism Corridor

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development approved a financial agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the “Porta e Alpeve” infrastructure project. The agreement provides a €50 million loan from the EIB to support infrastructure development in northern Albania. Deputy Minister of Finance Endrit Yzeiraj presented …

News

Sejko Warns Middle East Tensions Threaten Global and Albanian Economy

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, said that tensions in the Middle East remain a major source of risk for the global and Albanian economy. He stressed that the impact of the conflict depends on its duration and intensity. As a result, inflation risks rise, while economic …

News

Bank of Albania Keeps Base Interest Rate Unchanged at 2.5%

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has decided to keep the base interest rate unchanged at 2.5%. Governor Gent Sejko announced the decision during a press conference. He also said the Council kept the overnight deposit rate unchanged at 1.5% and the overnight lending rate at 3.5%. The …

News

VanHorn Praises Albania–US Defense Cooperation at Anniversary Ceremony

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Albania, Nancy VanHorn, attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the State Partnership Program between the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces. She said the New Jersey National Guard and the Albanian Armed Forces train together and strengthen each other. …

News

President Begaj Welcomes AADF Chief Granoff and Discusses “Toka” Initiative

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj met with Michael Granoff, Chairman of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), along with its executive directors. The discussion focused on the foundation’s latest projects. These projects aim to develop agriculture, tourism, education in artificial intelligence, and stronger links between diaspora researchers and Albanian institutions. …

News

EU Ambassador Urges Wider Participation in Lawmaking in Albania

A meeting focused on improving lawmaking and increasing transparency took place today in Tirana. Participants included members of Parliament, state institutions, civil society, and international partners. The discussions focused on more inclusive processes. These processes aim to ensure wider participation and faster alignment with EU standards. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato …

News

President Begaj Calls US Strategic Partnership Cornerstone of Albania’s Foreign Policy

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. He said the strategic partnership with the United States is a key pillar of Albania’s foreign policy and security. He described the cooperation as one of the …

News

Begaj Attends 25th Anniversary of Albania–US Military Cooperation

President Bajram Begaj attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of cooperation between the Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard in Zall-Herr. During the event, officials from Albania and the United States gathered alongside senior defense representatives. In his speech, Begaj stated that the strategic partnership with the United …

News

Gogu: French Justice Minister Visits Albania, a Signal of Trust in the European Path

The Minister of Justice, Toni Gogu, will welcome French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin in Tirana today. He said this is the first time a French Justice Minister has visited Albania. He described the visit as a strong signal of trust in Albania’s European justice reform path. Gogu said the visit …

News

Concert Celebrates 80th Birthday of Composer Shpëtim Kushta

The event was organized as part of the project “Nota mbi pentagram,” which was implemented by CEDI with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. During the concert, organizers presented a selection of Kushta’s works, and the program offered audiences an emotional artistic journey. Shpëtim Kushta, born in …

News

“Porta e Alpeve”: €50 Million Investment to Transform Shkodër–Shëngjin Tourism Corridor

The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development approved a financial agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the “Porta e Alpeve” infrastructure project. The agreement provides a €50 million loan from the EIB to support infrastructure development in northern Albania. Deputy Minister of Finance Endrit Yzeiraj presented …