Speaking at the general meeting of prosecutors—where the process of electing new members to the High Prosecutorial Council (HPC) is underway—Çela also emphasized the need to promote institutional cooperation and boost public trust in the justice system.

Çela noted that the prosecution system has been grappling with a difficult period for several years due to staffing vacancies and heavy workloads. Chief Prosecutor Çela emphasized that much work remains to be done, particularly regarding the reduction of the backlog of cases, increasing the speed and quality of investigations, improving representation in court proceedings and strengthening professional and technical capacities.

Another challenge, according to him, is adapting to the new case management system—expected to be completed by 2028—which will enable the modernization of institutional operations through digitalization.

“The new case management system, set for completion in 2028, presents a challenge regarding efficient adaptation, but also an opportunity to finally align institutional operations with the digital age,” he said.

During his remarks, Çela raised concerns regarding the infrastructure at several prosecutor’s offices across the country, specifically citing Tirana, Durrës, Fier and Saranda.

Çela added, “While I have maintained a clear stance opposing the need for a new criminal code and the associated draft, I view positively any effort to improve the procedural criminal legal framework.”

According to him, the prosecution service will play a positive role in finding solutions that ensure an efficient investigation and adjudication system, while simultaneously guaranteeing the rights of the parties involved in proceedings.

Another issue raised by the Prosecutor General concerned the financial remuneration of magistrates. Çela called for a genuine and constructive dialogue among all parties to reach a definitive solution regarding the salary system, in compliance with the standards established by the Constitutional Court.

He stated that the General Prosecutor’s Office has already expressed its stance on this matter in official communications with the Parliament and will contribute to any initiative aimed at a comprehensive solution.

In his remarks, Çela emphasized that improving the functioning of the prosecution service requires a joint commitment, coordination between offices and cooperation across the institution’s various levels.

He highlighted the relationship between the Prosecutor General and the High Prosecutorial Council as essential, describing it as a necessity for the system’s proper functioning. In this context, he also mentioned the memorandum of cooperation signed between the two institutions this year. /p.s./

Chief Prosecutor stated that, “The investigation of electoral crimes has become an institutional priority for 2025. As a matter of fact, preparations began last year. In context of these preparations, there has been signed an agreement between CEC, the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the State Police to respond to the needs of investigation of criminal offenses in the field of elections”.

As you can see, Çela added, “There are a number of cases that are being verified at the reporting stage or for which there have been registered criminal proceedings”.

Meanwhile, Çela added, “There is also a positive interaction between the Special Prosecution Office and the prosecutors of the judicial districts regarding the exchange of information and the real-time launch of investigations”.

“To further extend this cooperation, we have also provided support in infrastructure to the Special Prosecution Office so that prosecutors and investigators can carry out their activities throughout the election period, until the end of the electoral process”, Çela said.

Regarding the sources of information for denunciations, Çela said that, “In some cases it is the State Police, we have denunciations from citizens, but we also have cases initiated mainly by prosecutors of the general jurisdiction”./a.f/p.s./

During the meeting the mission representatives got acquainted with the measures taken by the Prosecutor General’s Office regarding investigation of criminal offenses in the field of elections as well as the possibilities of supporting the work of the Mission by the prosecutors’ offices of general jurisdiction.

In the framework of the Parliamentary elections of May 11, 2025, there have been established special temporary sections in all prosecutors’ offices of general jurisdiction, headed by heads of the prosecution offices, which will also be supported by the State Police with judicial police officers and by an operational force.

Also, based on the agreements reached, there will be coordinated the work with the Central Election Commission and the Special Prosecutor’s Office in regard to rapid communication of reports on criminal offenses, exchange of information and efficient coordination of investigations. /j.p/p.s./

She added that, “Over the two years since its introduction, this application has carried 3,200 events such as those of Agrotourism, Art Fest, Music Festivals, Visual Arts, Cultural Heritage and Theater”.

Çela stated that, “This application has become a digital guide that offers visitors not only events, but also cultural heritage destinations, tourist services, utilitarian and informative services, now presenting Albania in all its dimensions”.

The TEA application, the only digital guide to Albania’s tourism, is an excellent example of how technology can be used to improve and modernize the tourist experience, providing fast, accurate and tailored information for tourists.

TEA brings organized information in a simple format, enabling travelers to easily plan their vacation itinerary.

This application is available for free on the Apple Store and the Play Store and is a project of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the National Tourism Agency. /p.s./

Çela wrote in the social media that, “This memorandum of understanding between the National Tourism Agency and the Austrian Tourism Board is a great opportunity to further develop tourism in Albania and to bring more Austrian visitors”.

“Austria is considered a pioneer in sustainable tourism, therefore the cooperation with Oesterreich Werbung offers us valuable opportunities to further develop Albania as an attractive destination and to enhance the travel experience for Austrian visitors”, emphasized Çela.

At the meeting, Astrid Steharnig-Staudinger stated that, “Austria has decades of experience in tourism, especially in internationalization and networking of the global market. We want to use this expertise to support Albania in its dynamic development as a tourist destination.”

During 2024, Albania was visited by over 71 thousand Austrian visitors. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the ITB Berlin 2025 fair, where Albania holds the place of honor and presents its tourism offers.

The talks between Çela and Sengstschmid focused on promotion of tourism, the exchange of experiences and the expansion of partnerships between the agencies of the two countries.

Azerbaijan Tourism Board CEO expressed his admiration at the opening ceremony of “Albania All Senses”, Albania’s stand at ITB Berlin, and for the wonderful 2024 tourist season of our country.

On her part, General Director of Albania’s Tourism Agency gave an overview of Albania’s tourism and emphasized the significance of building bridges of cooperation.

During the conversation, they also discussed on establishment of contacts between tour operators and businesses with the aim of promoting tourism.

In 2024, Albania was visited by 4800 tourists from Azerbaijan, with an increase of 50.8% more than in 2023. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

General Director of the National Tourism Agency Zana Çela held a meeting with Mayor Oltion Çaçi in the municipality of Saranda and shared the view that youth and culture heritage are two essential aspects of Saranda tourism.

The conversation focused on meeting the needs of visitors for cultural events, festivals, nature walks and culinary experiences, even beyond the city.

For the year 2024, the municipality of Saranda was included in the top 10 cities with the most events.

Director Çela has started a tour of meetings with heads of the country’s municipalities two days ago to orient and organize together with them the 2025 Events Calendar. Çela held meetings with Mayor of Durrës Emiriana Sako and Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha. /k.s/a.f/p.s./

Director General of the National Tourism Agency Zana Çela acquainted the guests with Albania as an exciting and growing tourist destination.

“Albania, in the heart of the Balkans, offers an exciting mix of adventure, culture and relaxation. With direct and short flights from Hungary, it presents a fantastic opportunity to the tour operators and travelers. Albania has successfully expanded its tourism throughout the year and throughout the country. The vision of the Albanian government goes beyond economic growth, focusing on the development of high-end tourism. The legislation encourages private investment and attracts major international brands. We appreciate your interest and hope that this visit will inspire new partnerships and opportunities for tourism. We look forward to working together to promote Albania and provide unforgettable experiences for your clients”, emphasized the Director of Albanian Tourism Agency.

On her part, Ambassador of Hungary to Albania Martina Kasnyik underlined that the number of Hungarian visitors to Albania is increasing more and more.

“In 2024 alone, around 60 thousand Hungarian citizens came to Albania. Hungarian tour operators are here to discover what Albania has to offer”, said Ambassador Kasnyik.

This is the first time that such a large number of tour operators from Hungary come to Albania. /k.s/a.f/p.s./

Director of the National Tourism Agency Zana Çela, who is in Madrid in context of this fair, said in a video posted in the social media that, “This is the first time that international visitors are having a taste of the Albanian tourist destinations in the most realistic possible way through the VR stereoscopic 3D”.

“In our stand, there is a corner that is the most visited, as the staff provides information to the numerous visitors. Then, they move to the VR corner where they get all the information about Albania tourism. They stop at the coastline, on the most beautiful beaches, in mountainous Albania, the agribusiness and see an Albania by means of high technology as presented at the international fair of “Fitur 2025”, said Çela.

Under the slogan “Albania, all senses”, Albania has become the most attractive station for visitors at the International Fair “Fitur” 2025 that opened its doors on Wednesday in Madrid.

The “Fitur 2025” Fair is the global meeting point for tourism professionals and the main fair for incoming and outgoing markets in Iberian countries.

The Albanian stand is turning into a center of activities, part of the agenda organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. It is conceived as a mix of experiences that present Albania as the most exciting destination in Europe, from experiences through virtual exploration of the country, “Albanian Nights” inspired by the rich heritage of cultural traditions and community life to the taste of experiences offered by the Albanian Agrotourism Association. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Speaking at the meeting of the Council of Europe Monitoring Committee, which is being held in Tirana for the first time, Çela said that corruption has been a concern for society and the Albanian state for years.

“Due to its very complex nature, the treatment of this corrosive phenomenon for the sustainability of the democratic system and the economic development of the country requires a multifaceted approach that takes into account its typical characteristics as well as the size and nature of its spread,” Çela emphasized.

The chief prosecutor stated that the fight against corruption cannot be seen as a responsibility limited to only a few law enforcement agencies, but as a broad commitment of all instruments available to society and the state through an interaction and coordination of measures within the framework of a comprehensive strategic approach.

“Only through this stance can the contribution of the justice system to this fundamentally vital challenge for Albanian society be efficient,” he said.

He underlined that, first of all, these measures have an inter-institutional character with the aim of coordination and interaction of all actors, including the justice system, so that the response to the phenomenon is organized and cohesive.

Secondly, Çela added, “It is the very activity of the institutions responsible for the fight against corruption that pursue policies and use legal instruments in harmony with the general framework of this fight.”/p.s./