Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu received the certification during her first meeting in Albania with the new head of the WHO country office, Dr Fabio Scano, on Tuesday.

Scano presented Spahiu with the ETAGE certification, issued by WHO/Europe, confirming that Albania has achieved the European targets for hepatitis B control through immunisation.

The meeting also covered priorities including improving and protecting public health, strengthening the healthcare system and primary care, disease prevention, mental health, hospital reform and healthcare staffing, the ministry said.

Spahiu said the two sides had also discussed two strategic areas of cooperation, including a planned joint WHO-Ministry of Health project focused on public health in the Western Balkans.

“A joint WHO and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare project for public health in the Western Balkans will begin. This initiative, discussed at the highest level of cooperation between Albania and WHO/Europe, would be particularly important for strengthening Albania’s subregional role in public health,” Spahiu said.

She also highlighted cooperation with WHO in the context of Albania’s European integration in healthcare, particularly technical support to align health policies, legislation and the regulatory framework with EU legislation and standards.

Spahiu wished Scano success in his new role and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with WHO.

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The State Cadastre Agency is moving to formalize ownership of previously unregulated characteristic objects, clearing the path for urgent investment and renovation.

Proper legal documentation will create opportunities for growth in agrotourism and cultural tourism.

Northern Albania’s traditional stone towers, known as kulla, are cornerstone elements of the region’s cultural identity and architectural heritage. Formalizing and restoring these structures is a crucial initiative, breathing new life into historical sites while integrating them into local economic development.

The Cadastre highlighted that this process aims to secure ownership rights while encouraging investment in the restoration and maintenance of the towers, in compliance with cultural heritage protection standards.

This step runs parallel to the national tower revitalization program, which links heritage conservation with sustainable tourism. It supports a wider strategy for asset formalization and cultural valorization, turning historical assets into engines of economic growth and national identity. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

The main opposition DP had contested the results, alleging serious irregularities and legal violations throughout the electoral process. However, the Electoral College, acting as the final arbiter, rejected these claims, affirming the validity of the vote and issuing a final ruling that cannot be appealed.

The Democrats opposed the Regulatory Commission’s August 28 decision to certify the elections, citing documented breaches confirmed by international monitoring bodies including OSCE-ODIHR, as well as evidence gathered during the process.

In response, Socialist Party representative at the Electoral College, lawyer Eridian Salianji, argued that the appeal lacked both formal and substantive grounds.

He referenced Article 167 of the Electoral Code, noting that the official announcement of election results only takes place after the appeals process is complete.

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Tirana’s central municipal administration was also awarded the quality certification for services and the city’s management earlier this month.

After the certificate was awarded by DEKRA officials, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said the certificate was an incredible recognition for the Municipal Police performance and work in the last 10 years.

“I really appreciate your several-month long commitment to check all the procedures and eventually award the ISO-9001 215 certification to the Municipal Police  as the only police service in the Republic of Albania to receive such a recognition. I am glad to hear you affirming that you have felt safe in Tirana. It is news that visitors to our city, around nine million to date, share while in Tirana. Tirana has the lowest crime rate in the region and southeast Europe,” Veliaj said.

German company DEKRA has been active in the field of safety for 90 years. Founded in 1925 in Berlin, it is today one of the world’s leading providers of testing, inspection and certification services in more than 50 countries. ISO 9001 certification is the ISO 9001 is a globally recognized standard for quality management systems standards.

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NATO posted images of the training on its official website, saying “Albanian Explosive Ordnance Disposal team conducted a high-impact training and demonstration, showcasing their advanced techniques and tools at Camp Adazi in Latvia.”

NATO’s official website said that the Albanian EOD experts explored door-opening techniques, deployed drones to retrieve simulated threat packages, and demonstrated the power of water pellet cannon machines in neutralizing potential hazards.

“This hands-on training not only enhances our readiness but also reinforces the importance of innovation and teamwork in maintaining security,” NATO said.

The Albanian EOD experts also focused on maintaining ordnance, planning and executing safe operations in contaminated areas, and managing logistical disposal of ordnance. Their efforts contribute significantly to securing and safely storing munitions.

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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Anila Denaj said today that “During the January-September period, the Seed and Seedling Agency has certified 21.8 million seedlings and 7.8 million seedlings are in the certification process”.

Denaj called the certification of seedlings an important process in the food safety chain, guaranteeing safe and healthy agricultural products for everyone.

“Through this certification, we assure farmers of the quality of their products, eliminate the risk of damage during harvest and give a security seal that paves the way for Albanian agricultural production to European markets with higher value, bringing more profit for the farmer “, said Denaj.

In recent years, there has been a very big evolution as far as seedling certification is concerned. One of the measures of this ministry has been the orientation towards certified seedlings. These seedlings give a guarantee to the domestic consumer, but also to the qualified markets where the products are exported.

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The Premier also said that the Kukes airport will start operating as an international airport following a certification procedure.

He explained that the inaugural commercial flight departed from Rinas airport to Kukes in accordance to the international standards and regulations.

“Today we flew from Tirana to Kukes, because based on the regulations every international airport should undergo a 50-60 day certification procedure to host and handle international flights. The international flights will begin once the certification procedures complete,” the government head said.

He added that the required agreements will be finalized next week and said that companies are showing great interest and the airport will provide opportunity to passengers from the area to fly to various destinations and the traffic will steady grow in the coming months.

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