Albania and Italy strengthen cooperation on digital customs and AI
Albania and Italy are expanding customs cooperation by focusing on digital systems, electronic data exchange and the use of artificial intelligence in customs operations. Director General of the Albanian Customs Administration Besmir Beja met with Roberto Alesse, Director General of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, during an official visit …
Kumbaro hails EU negotiation milestone on education and science
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro welcomed the approval by COREPER to close the first three chapters of Albania’s EU accession negotiations, calling it a major achievement for the country and its negotiating team. Kumbaro highlighted that two of the three chapters are directly related to the Ministry of Education: Chapter 25 …
COREPER approves provisional closure of three EU accession chapters for Albania
COREPER approved the provisional closure of three chapters in Albania’s European Union accession negotiations, pushing the country another step forward on its path toward membership. The Agency for Media and Information (MIA) announced that the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states endorsed the EU’s Common Position on closing …
EtnoArtGallery in Korçë showcases Albania’s cultural identity and heritage
EtnoArtGallery – “The House of Memory” in the heart of Korçë’s Old Bazaar invites visitors on a journey through Albanian history, traditions and cultural heritage. The gallery displays authentic traditional costumes, rare objects and handmade elements that reflect everyday life in Albanian cities and villages of the past. Prime Minister …
Albanians Hold ALL 1.8 Trillion in Bank Savings, Top 10 Depositors Control 7.5% of Total Deposits
Albanian households and businesses hold approximately ALL 1.8 trillion (around €18 billion) in bank deposits, while the country’s ten largest depositors account for about 7.5% of the total savings in the banking system. According to the Bank of Albania’s Supervision Report, total deposits reached ALL 1.8 trillion at the end …
Qafë Qelë–Koman Road Reconstructed, Improving Access to One of Northern Albania’s Key Tourist Destinations
The 31-kilometre Qafë Qelë–Koman road has been reconstructed, significantly improving access to one of northern Albania’s most promising tourist destinations. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi, together with the Director of the Albanian Road Authority, Ami Kozeli, inspected the completed works during a site visit. The investment is considered …
Gaza Mission: Defense Minister Nufi Says Albania Will Initially Deploy Staff Officers
Albania will initially contribute staff officers to the international stabilization mission in Gaza, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi announced in an interview with Euronews Albania. Nufi said that following the completion of a reconnaissance and assessment mission, and after reviewing the report prepared by Albanian officers, the General Staff of the …
Alpine Theth stays busy as summer tourism peaks
TIRANA, July 10 – The mountain village of Theth, located 70 kilometres from Shkodër, continues to rank among Albania’s most popular summer destinations. Large numbers of Albanian and foreign visitors are exploring the area during the peak tourist season. They come to experience Theth’s natural beauty as well as its …
Kosova’s political leaders begin talks to form new institutions
TIRANA, July 10 – Kosova’s political leaders began talks on Thursday to establish new institutions following the snap parliamentary elections held on 7 June. Acting Prime Minister and Self-Determination Movement leader Albin Kurti met Democratic Party of Kosova leader Bedri Hamza at the Assembly. Later in the day, Kurti is …
Shkodra landscapes chosen for Honda’s international advertising campaign
The stunning landscapes of the Shkodër region have become the backdrop for Honda’s latest advertising campaign, showcasing Albania’s growing appeal for international productions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the commercial and said the project highlights Shkodra’s rise as an important destination for high-level film and advertising productions. In …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha is attending the General Assembly of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) in Brussels, where he serves as one of the organization’s Vice Presidents. The assembly has brought together political leaders, former presidents, Members of the European …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:5f2c0e64-bc31-47c7-92dd-f2c184ecbc38-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Around 60 inmates at Drenova Prison are expected to be released under Albania’s new penal amnesty law, which is scheduled to be implemented on July 15. Under the amnesty, eligible male prisoners will receive a one-year sentence reduction, while eligible female …
Albania’s Ombudsman is carrying out an unannounced inspection on Monday and Tuesday at the Shënkoll Prison Institution as part of its mandate as the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. According to the Ombudsman, the preliminary findings are deeply concerning. The inspection team identified severe overcrowding in accommodation facilities and a …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania’s permanent parliamentary delegation took part in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, held in Yaounde, Cameroon. Hatixhe Konomi led the delegation, alongside Ilirian Pendavinji and Luçiano Boçi. More than 300 lawmakers from 42 national, subnational and inter-parliamentary sections attended the session. …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania will host the 37th NATO Summit after the alliance concluded its 36th summit in Ankara. Analysts say the decision highlights the strategic importance of Albania and the Western Balkans for NATO. Experts say the alliance has renewed its focus on the region as Europe reshapes …
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marks 31 years of membership in the Council of Europe on July 13, a milestone that reflects the country’s democratic transition and its commitment to European standards, according to the Agency for Media and Information (MIA). MIA said membership has supported reforms, strengthened institutions and …
TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …
TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …
On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …
Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …