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The Unfinished EU: Western Balkan Integration as a Geostrategic Necessity

By Tanja Fajon, Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of Slovenia, Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of European and International Affairs of Austria, Gordan Radman Grlic, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia In her 2023 State of the Union address, European Commission President von der Leyen asserted that the future of …

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Op/ed: Nuclear energy still a long-term option for Albania

By Dr Valentina Dedi*, Lead Economic Advisor, Consulting International, KBR Today’s focus on climate commitments, while ensuring energy security and affordability, seem to have created a new momentum for nuclear energy. The latest global developments, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have made many governments rethink their energy strategies and …

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Two “Canadair” planes working to extinguish Fier wildfires

Two Canadair planes are working this Monday to put out the fire that has been going on for several days in Darzeze in Fieri. Ministry of Defense informs that Canadair CL-415 aircraft are helping by throwing water to help 20 MZSH Fier officers, 40 FA forces and vehicles involved in …

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Rama official visit in Croatia, hosted with ceremony by his counterpart Plenkovic

Prime Minister Edi Rama has started an official visit to Croatia. The head of the Albanian government was received with an official ceremony by the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic. In the last two weeks, the Prime Minister of Albania has had a busy agenda of meetings, specifically in …

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Balla to prosecutors and judges: Work and crack down on crime

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, said that the State Police and the institutions that are under his authority will carry out their duty responsibly in defense of the lives of every citizen, including judges and prosecutors. “We discussed the issue of prosecutors’ safety, but our attention is on …

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Rama: Croatia is an example and a source of encouragement in our process towards the EU

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, during his official visit to Croatia, expressed about some of the topics he discussed with his counterpart Petkovic. “Croatia is an example and a source of encouragement in our process of walking towards EU membership. Croatia is an example of success, recently also with …

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Tensions in North Kosovo/ Rama demands sanctions for Serbia

During the official visit to Croatia, Prime Minister Edi Rama analyzed the recent tensions in the north of Kosovo and the killing of the Kosovo Police officer by a group of armed Serbs. He called for the EU to apply punitive measures and sanctions to Serbia. The head of the …

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PM Rama’s message on breast cancer awareness month

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Monday with the annual call to women and girls to take some time and take care of themselves by doing the necessary checks to prevent unwanted health surprises. “GOOD MORNING, and with the annual call every #PinkOctober to all women and girls to take …

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New academic year launched in Albania’s universities

In all universities of Albania, the new academic year has kicked this Monday. According to the data, there are about 20,000 students who sit for the first time in university auditoriums. Students this year were registered in two rounds. First round took place from September 29-11, while the second round …

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Rector: 2023-2024 academic year related to Albania’s EU integration

Rector of the University of Tirana, Artan Hoxha has held this Monday a press conference, on the occasion of the launch of the 2023-2024 academic year. In his speech, Hoxha said that this year starts with a new dynamic, which is also related to the process of Albania’s integration into …

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After US Lifts Graft Sanctions, is Albania’s Berisha Really ‘Back’?

Five years after the US declared him persona non grata, Donald Trump has given Sali Berisha a ‘waiver’. But how much does it really change for the opposition party Berisha leads? Original post Here

News
Albania Elected to UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Albania has won election to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ferit Hoxha announced the news and described the decision as recognition of Albania’s active contribution within UNESCO. Hoxha said the election recognizes Albania’s long-standing commitment to protecting, promoting, and passing on its rich …

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

After US Lifts Graft Sanctions, is Albania’s Berisha Really ‘Back’?

Five years after the US declared him persona non grata, Donald Trump has given Sali Berisha a ‘waiver’. But how much does it really change for the opposition party Berisha leads? Original post Here

News

Albania Elected to UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Albania has won election to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ferit Hoxha announced the news and described the decision as recognition of Albania’s active contribution within UNESCO. Hoxha said the election recognizes Albania’s long-standing commitment to protecting, promoting, and passing on its rich …

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 …