Albania had Europe’s fastest post-pandemic recovery in tourism sector, official data show
TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2023 – The visible increase in foreign tourists in Albania in the past two years now has statistical backing: Albania has had the fastest post-pandemic recovery in tourism in the entire continent, according to official numbers by Albanian and European statistical bodies. Experts say pent up demand …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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
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 …
TIRANA, May 16 – Albanian singer Alis Kallaçi sent a video message from Vienna to the RTSH1 programme “Në Kohë Reale” [In Real Time] after qualifying for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final. He thanked supporters and said the competition had not ended yet. Alis invited viewers to vote for …
TIRANA, May 16 – Europe’s attention turns to Vienna this Saturday as the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final takes place at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Austria. Albania will perform fifth among the 25 competing countries with singer Alis Kallaçi and the song “Nân” [Mother]. Alis qualified for the …
Silvio Gonzato met with Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela to discuss stronger institutional cooperation in delivering justice and fighting crime. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed support for Albania’s prosecution system at all levels. They also highlighted assistance for the Case Management System. Moreover, both sides agreed that justice and …
Albana Koçiu attended the UN80 initiative conference and highlighted the importance of reforming and modernizing the United Nations system. First, Koçiu said global challenges require stronger international cooperation. Therefore, she stressed that reforms within the UN are essential for supporting Albania’s European aspirations. Moreover, Koçiu reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger …
Edi Rama said U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Europe to recognize its weaknesses and rethink its future security strategy. He made the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama argued that Europe should take Trump seriously, even if not every statement should be interpreted literally. According to …
Edi Rama warned that Europe risks weakening its economic priorities if security concerns dominate political decision-making. He delivered the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama reaffirmed Albania’s strong commitment to NATO. He described Albanians as “Western Taliban,” explaining that Albania remains fully loyal to the transatlantic …
Representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior Albanian government officials gathered in Tirana to discuss how United Nations reform can deliver concrete improvements at the national level. During the discussions, participants highlighted the important role of the UN both globally and in Albania. Moreover, Silvio Gonzato stressed that the European …
Bajram Begaj visited the Mediterranean University of Albania, where he met with academics, professors, and students. He also toured classrooms, IT laboratories, and medical science facilities. During the visit, Begaj encouraged public and private universities to face modern challenges and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Moreover, he said …
Nancy VanHorn welcomed the family of Loni Adami at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. She honored his courage and sacrifice as symbols of the struggle for freedom. Loni Adami and his colleague Kol Kuqali worked for the American embassy during Albania’s communist regime. Moreover, both men faced imprisonment and torture …
Besmir Beja held an official meeting at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva to discuss the modernization of Albania’s customs systems and their alignment with European Union standards. During the meetings with ASYCUDA program officials, participants highlighted the progress made by the Albanian customs administration in …