EU committee urges Albanian parliament to give opposition denied oversight rights
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2024 – The latest meeting of the EU-Albania Association Stabilization Parliamentary Committee has convened at the European Parliament, urging the ruling majority in the Albanian parliament to give back to the opposition rights that bolster parliamentary oversight through investigative commissions and other measures, aiming to enhance institutional …
Becchetti gets paid as Albanian taxpayers bail out air traffic control company whose foreign accounts were seized by Belgian court
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2023 – The Albanian government has had to pump millions of euros to keep afloat Albcontrol, the state-owned company responsible for air navigation services in Albanian airspace, as its foreign accounts have been frozen by the order of Brussels First Instance Court to pay a controversial Italian …
Ryanair unveils expansion plans and new routes from Tirana International Airport
TIRANA, Jan. 24, 2024 – Europe’s largest airline, low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair, is doubling down in Albania with six new direct destinations to complement its existing 16 and the announcing of plans to open a base in Tirana as early as next year. Ryanair is set to introduce several new …
Gerdeci file, former Minister of Defense appears in Special Court
Former Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu appeared this Wednesday in the Special Court, where the next court session for the “Gërdec” case will take place. In the session held on January 10, 2024, Ylli Pinari, former director of the state enterprise in the Ministry of Defense, MEICO, testified against the …
Session on security of Berisha’s house arrest held
This Wednesday, the court hearing in the Special Appeal for the appeal of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha will take place. The lawyers of the former prime minister, as can be seen from the footage, have arrived at Apel. The former prime minister, who has been under “house arrest” since …
Rama: 2024 proclaimed as year of Albanian language
2024 has been declared as the year of Albanian language, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Wednesday. In a post on his personal Facebook page, PM Rama published a video by the Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu. “On the International Day of Education, we announce the year 2024, the …
Prostitution network dismantled in Tirana and Kruja, three Arrested
Three people have fallen into the handcuffs of the police and another has been declared wanted this Wednesday, because they are accused of exploiting three minor girls for prostitution. Samuel Doku, Kastriot Kullaj and Fabjon Cangu were arrested. From the investigative actions carried out, it was found that the 3 …
Italian Parliament approves the Rama-Meloni agreement for immigrants
The Chamber of Deputies approved with 155 votes in favor and 115 against (2 abstentions) the draft law for the ratification of the Italy-Albania agreement on immigrants, “for strengthening cooperation in migration issues”. The agreement enters into force on the date agreed between the parties and remains in force for …
Former PM Berisha summoned by SPAK for partizani issue
Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has summoned former Prime Minister Sali Berisha this Tuesday to interrogate him regarding the privatization of the former “Partizani” sports complex. Session for the “Partizani” affair is expected to take place at 10:00, while it is not known whether Berisha himself will go personally or send …
Three arrested after scaffold’s fall in Tirana
Law enforcement has arrested three people in connection with the incident that happened on Monday in Tirana, where the scaffolding of a building under construction fell, injuring two passers-by. Police revealed that the engineer of the company that dealt with security, the owner of the company and the worker who …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian champions Egnatia will take the field on Tuesday evening for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Egnatia will face Irish side Shamrock Rovers in an away match that will start at 21:00. The team coached by Nevil Dede …
TIRANA, August 4 – Nearly 27 years after the Reçak massacre, Kosova’s justice system has opened an in absentia trial against more than 20 former Serbian army and police members. They face accusations over the killing of 42 Albanian civilians on January 15, 1999. The first hearing took place in …
TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …
TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …
TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …
TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …
TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …
TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …