Japan donates firefighting equipment to Tirana
Two new fire engines were added to the new fire station in Kinostudio, as a help from the Embassy of Japan in Tirana. Mayor Erion Veliaj said that the new equipement will greatly serve the Unit 4 Fire Station, as it also covers the suburban and rural areas of the …
Labor force reduction due to emigration harming Albania’s long-term potential, central bank governor says
TIRANA, Jan. 31, 2023 – Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko has joined voices of concern regarding the renewed trend of Albanians leaving the country to work abroad, citing negative long-term potential of having a smaller pool of local labor capital. “It reduces the labor force — especially in its …
New court map enters into force
Implementation of the new judicial map will resume this Wednesday, starting the operation of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction. At the end of December, the High Judicial Council (HJC) met to determine the composition of the single Court of Appeal that will be in Tirana. The council decided …
Floods situation improves significantly in Shkodra
Floods situation has improved considerably in Shkodra, while the total flooded area has decreased to 500 hectares. According to this Wednesday’s reports, the situation has also improved on Oboti road as there is no water present. Civil Emergency Groups of the Municipality are in constant monitoring of the situation, as …
Elbasan police removes 37 illegal cameras, 10 person under investigation
Elbasan Police has uninstalled and seized this Wednesday 37 security cameras installed by criminal groups, while the investigations have started for 10 people who installed these cameras in violation of the law. Seized cameras were placed without the relevant permission of the competent bodies, as their placement is in violation …
Electronic voting approved for three municipalities on May 14 Polls
Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided this Wednesday to implement the procedure for electronic voting and counting within the local elections of May 14 for the municipalities of Vora, Kamza and Elbasan. This point of the agenda that was agreed upon by the parties, while the decision came after the …
Transparency Concerns over Tony and Cherie Blair’s Balkan Endeavours
Cherie Blair’s law firm has made hundreds of thousands of euros representing governments in Albania and Serbia, which have also been advised by Tony Blair’s consultancy. Original post Here
Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary Corruption Worsening, Transparency Says
Latest Transparency International report on perceived levels of public corruption gives Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania the thumbs down – but notes progress in Kosovo, North Macedonia and Moldova. Original post Here
Albanian gov’t, UAE investor sign deal on €2 billion redevelopment of Durrës waterfront
TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2023 – Albania’s government has officially signed off on a 2 billion euro private-public partnership with a major UAE investor, Muhamed Alabbar, to redevelop the Durrës port area waterfront. The agreement on the Durrës Yacht and Marina Project signed Monday follows almost a year of negotiations between …
Illegal Builder in Albania’s capital Linked to Ruling Party
Government’s claim to be leading crackdown on illegal builds hides an important fact – that such violators are often well connected to the ruling Socialist Party. Original post Here
Taulant Balla supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He posts on social media. He backs their demand. Students want the bar exam in Albanian. Balla says the request is legitimate. He says the constitution already recognizes this right. Yet, it is not applied in practice. He calls for action. …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They first met in Tirana. Later, they continued talks in Durrës. Both sides confirmed strong relations. They also confirmed mutual trust and a strong partnership. Hoxha said both …
Opposition MPs Ina Zhupa and Ivi Kaso meet today with Scott Bates. They discuss with the National Democratic Institute director for Europe. Zhupa leads the discussion. She focuses on transparency. She pushes for inclusion. She demands stronger Parliament oversight. The MPs raise concerns. They highlight challenges facing the opposition. They …
The Embassy of the United States in Albania honors 13 Albanian employees who retire after more than 25 years of service. The embassy holds a ceremony. It invites colleagues and family members. It recognizes long service and dedication. Nancy VanHorn presents U.S. flags to the retirees. She thanks them for …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi meets today with Scott Bates. They discuss cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the National Democratic Institute. Peleshi focuses on transparency. He emphasizes accountability. He pushes for modernization of parliamentary processes. Both sides highlight long-term cooperation. They strengthen the Parliamentary Institute as a success …
Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of South Korea (May 17–21). His wife, Linda Rama, and an official delegation accompany him. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. It also seeks to expand partnership in development, technology, and innovation. Rama arrives …
President Bajram Begaj met today with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi. They discussed relations between Albania and Qatar. Begaj praised strong ties between the two countries. He highlighted good cooperation and called for stronger political and economic relations. He also supported increased Qatari …
The European Union supports Albania and Kosovo in improving plant production and plant health monitoring through the “EU4Trade” project. As part of the initiative, inspectors from the General Directorate of Plant Protection and regional veterinary and plant protection authorities from both countries met in Prizren over the weekend. They attend …
President Bajram Begaj meets today participants of the High Course on Security and Defence at the Albanian Armed Forces College. Representatives from security institutions and allied countries attend the meeting. These include Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Kosovo, Poland, and Jordan. Begaj praises the course. He highlights cooperation among …
Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu supports Albanian students protesting in North Macedonia. He praises the protest. He calls it peaceful and civic. He describes it as a European example. Vengu says students defend the Albanian language in professional exams. He says they show strong civic energy. He states that the …