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Obituary: Isuf Kalo, 80, one of Albania’s top physicians and a key witness to communist history

TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2023 – Isuf Kalo, one of Albania’s most renowned medical doctors and a key witness to the country’s communist history as the personal doctor of the former dictator, has passed away at the age of 80, his family has announced. Professor Kalo was born in Albania’s southern …

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U.S. arrest of former senior FBI official with ties to PM leads to opposition calls for investigation in Albania 

TIRANA, Jan. 23, 2023 – The ties of the Albanian prime minister to a former senior FBI official recently arrested in the United States have led to calls by the political opposition for a full investigation of any possible Albania-related wrongdoings.  The retired FBI senior official has been arrested on …

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Op/Ed: Italy and the Western Balkans talk cooperation

By Antonio Tajani* The fate of Europe in these last months is being played, dramatically, around Ukraine. But the future of our continent is also connected with what will happen in the Western Balkans. History teaches us the strategic importance that this region has for our security. Therefore, the international …

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Collaku contributes to international conference on women’s contribution to interfaith relations hosted by Pope Francis

TIRANA, Jan. 26, 2023 – An Albanian civil society representative, Rudina Collaku, founder and executive director of Women’s Center for Development and Culture, has addressed a conference on women and interfaith relations organized by Pope Francis.  Pope Francis upheld the importance of protecting dignity of and caring for women and …

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In Albania’s olive oil boom, lack of proper export system means producers go bust 

TIRANA, Jan. 26, 2023 – One the largest olive harvests ever has led to a record production of olive oil in Albania this year. But the boom in production has exposed another problem: Albania’s inability to export.  Most oil producers have not been able to secure the needed certification to …

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Op/Ed: Serbia, Kosovo, and Russia’s interest in another conflict in continental Europe

By Arash Toupchinejad* Serbia recently found itself in a perilous standoff with Kosovo this past December when ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo established roadblocks to protest the arrest of a former Kosovo Serb police officer who had assaulted serving police officers. In response to this provocation, Kosovo called upon NATO-led …

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Germany asks suspension of tax, Kosovo’s PM says

Kosovo’s Prime Minister admitted Monday that the two advisors to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who last Saturday visited Kosovo, asked Pristina authorities to suspend tax on Serbian goods. Original post Here

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Rasic: Belgrade manipulating Kosovo Serbs

Nenad Rasic, the president of the Serb Progressive Democratic Party, said Belgrade is manipulating Serbs in Kosovo and political entity of Srpska List has been created by Belgrade to manipulate Kosovo Serbs. Original post Here

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US, German and British Embassies slam Kosovo for extraditing Turkish citizens

Extradition of six Turkish nationals by Kosovo authorities suspected of their alleged links to Fetullah Gulen’s movement, was in violation in violation with dozens of regulations and marked an “egregious breach of democratic values” that highlights the Kosovo’s intelligence Agency’s susceptibility to political manipulation, the US Embassy in Pristina said …

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Kosovo’s PM to meet Political Director of British Foreign Office

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj will host today in his office Richard Moore, the Political Director of the British Foreign Office. Original post Here

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Cup of Albania semifinals reach decisive second legs with final spot at stake

TIRANA, April 21 – The second legs of the Albanian Cup semifinals take place this week, with both ties finely balanced after 1-1 draws in the first matches. Elbasani hosts Egnatia on Wednesday, while Vllaznia meets Dinamo City on Thursday. Elbasan Arena stages the first fixture at 19:00 local time. …

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Albania targets 900 agrifood facilities in EU accession food safety push

TIRANA, April 21 – Albania has launched inspections of more than 900 agrifood facilities as part of efforts to align food safety standards with the European Union. Minister of State and chief EU membership negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka said the process forms part of accession talks and broader sector reform. Officials …

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PM Rama: European standards in food safety a challenge to achieve in EU membership negotiation process

TIRANA, April 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said food safety represents one of the toughest challenges in Albania’s European Union accession talks. He made the remarks during a meeting with food business operators in Tirana. Rama linked food safety reforms directly to Albania’s goal of EU membership within the …

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Rama: Food safety, the most complex challenge of the EU integration process

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Tuesday with food business operators, where he emphasized the importance of the European Union accession process as a key challenge for ensuring food safety in the country. Rama described food safety as one of the most difficult challenges of the negotiations, stressing …

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“We have provided €12.5 million for food safety,” Gonzato: Quality improvement a condition for the EU

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, during a meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of the food business sector, stated that food safety is an important area for Albania’s progress toward the EU, as it is directly linked to access to the European market. He underlined …

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Food safety, Rama: 900 businesses risk closure if they fail to meet EU standards

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with food business operators, where he emphasized that food safety is one of the most difficult and complex challenges in the process of European Union accession. The Prime Minister stated that 900 food-related businesses operating in the country risk closure or exclusion from …

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Rama visits Greece, to attend the Delphi Economic Forum; meeting also with Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Greece at the invitation of the Delphi Economic Forum, which will take place from April 21 to 23. Rama will hold a meeting with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, deepening economic …

News
Record state budget revenues, €240 million more than last year

Revenues from taxes and customs have increased by around €240 million at the beginning of this year. VAT and social contributions have recorded the most significant growth. The state budget collected approximately 205 billion ALL in the first three months of the year. This figure is about 24 billion ALL, …

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U.S. Ambassador to NATO visits Kosovo, welcomed by Anu Prattipati

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, welcomed on Tuesday the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, during his visit. Through a post on “X,” the U.S. Embassy in Pristina stated that this visit is an opportunity to discuss shared security interests. …

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Haxhiu meets U.S. representative to NATO: America’s support vital for Kosovo

The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received on Tuesday the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew G. Whitaker. It is reported that the two interlocutors discussed current political developments, security in the Kosovo region, and the importance of close coordination among allies in facing the …

News

Cup of Albania semifinals reach decisive second legs with final spot at stake

TIRANA, April 21 – The second legs of the Albanian Cup semifinals take place this week, with both ties finely balanced after 1-1 draws in the first matches. Elbasani hosts Egnatia on Wednesday, while Vllaznia meets Dinamo City on Thursday. Elbasan Arena stages the first fixture at 19:00 local time. …

News

Albania targets 900 agrifood facilities in EU accession food safety push

TIRANA, April 21 – Albania has launched inspections of more than 900 agrifood facilities as part of efforts to align food safety standards with the European Union. Minister of State and chief EU membership negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka said the process forms part of accession talks and broader sector reform. Officials …

News

PM Rama: European standards in food safety a challenge to achieve in EU membership negotiation process

TIRANA, April 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said food safety represents one of the toughest challenges in Albania’s European Union accession talks. He made the remarks during a meeting with food business operators in Tirana. Rama linked food safety reforms directly to Albania’s goal of EU membership within the …

News

Rama: Food safety, the most complex challenge of the EU integration process

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Tuesday with food business operators, where he emphasized the importance of the European Union accession process as a key challenge for ensuring food safety in the country. Rama described food safety as one of the most difficult challenges of the negotiations, stressing …

News

“We have provided €12.5 million for food safety,” Gonzato: Quality improvement a condition for the EU

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, during a meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama and representatives of the food business sector, stated that food safety is an important area for Albania’s progress toward the EU, as it is directly linked to access to the European market. He underlined …

News

Food safety, Rama: 900 businesses risk closure if they fail to meet EU standards

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting with food business operators, where he emphasized that food safety is one of the most difficult and complex challenges in the process of European Union accession. The Prime Minister stated that 900 food-related businesses operating in the country risk closure or exclusion from …

News

Rama visits Greece, to attend the Delphi Economic Forum; meeting also with Mitsotakis

Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Greece at the invitation of the Delphi Economic Forum, which will take place from April 21 to 23. Rama will hold a meeting with his counterpart, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, deepening economic …

News

Record state budget revenues, €240 million more than last year

Revenues from taxes and customs have increased by around €240 million at the beginning of this year. VAT and social contributions have recorded the most significant growth. The state budget collected approximately 205 billion ALL in the first three months of the year. This figure is about 24 billion ALL, …

News

U.S. Ambassador to NATO visits Kosovo, welcomed by Anu Prattipati

The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States of America in Kosovo, Anu Prattipati, welcomed on Tuesday the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Matthew Whitaker, during his visit. Through a post on “X,” the U.S. Embassy in Pristina stated that this visit is an opportunity to discuss shared security interests. …

News

Haxhiu meets U.S. representative to NATO: America’s support vital for Kosovo

The Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, received on Tuesday the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Matthew G. Whitaker. It is reported that the two interlocutors discussed current political developments, security in the Kosovo region, and the importance of close coordination among allies in facing the …