Berisha acknowledged the contribution of the Albanian diaspora, but expressed concern over the departure of a large number of citizens from the country, describing this phenomenon as a threat to Albania’s demographic future.

“No nation can or should be prouder of its diaspora than the Albanian nation. We owe our very survival and our freedoms to the diaspora, as well as an extraordinary contribution to our culture. But today, unfortunately, I must present to you a grim picture—the devastating impact of emigration on my country. Justin Gast, in a study conducted across 149 countries, concluded that emigration risks creating a demographic vacuum, with profound long-term repercussions,” Berisha said.

He stated that in Albania, emigration has presented the nation with a truly existential threat. “Currently, according to Eurostat, out of every 1,000 Albanians, 466 live in European Union countries. This is entirely the result of the Albanian narco-state—the only narco-state in the world, yet one that Europe unfortunately still fails to recognize or acknowledge as such. Albania is the leading exporter of cannabis, while Albanian drug cartels are the largest transporters of cocaine in Europe. To save the nation, the international community must take a definitive stand against this narco-state,” Berisha emphasized. /e.xh/r.e/a.f/p.s./

In a statement posted on social media, Tabaku wrote that, ” Albania opened today with news of sweeping security measures targeting the head of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH) and a raid at the home of the former State Police Director. The operations are part of a broader investigation linked to Ergys Agasi and the AKSHI files”.

According to her, “President of the Republic must immediately convene the National Security Council. It must be clarified whether state information, the functioning of institutions and citizen safety have been compromised.” /p.s./

In a reaction, the Council of Ambassadors emphasized that resurrecting rhetoric about the ethnic cleansing of Albanians violates core European principles and poses a direct threat to regional stability.

“These statements continue a troubling pattern of historical atrocities, fueling fears that Serbia has not fully distanced itself from the ideologies behind the former Yugoslav wars. The Council also draws attention to the systemic discrimination against Albanians in the Presheva Valley, specifically the mass passivation of addresses—a practice widely condemned as a form of modern ethnic cleansing”, reads the Council’s reaction.

Council of Albanian Ambassadors reiterates that, “Kosovo independence is an irreversible reality. Albania should react through a diplomatic démarche to the Serbian embassy in Tirana and, in coordination with Kosovo, raise the issue with the EU, NATO and strategic partners.”

“The Balkans needs responsible leadership, respect for international law and good neighborliness, not the return of hate speech,” the statement reads. /p.s./

During this conference, Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro presented the ministry’s vision for the after-school program, now supported by a legal framework.

Kumbaro noted that this achievement was a collaborative effort, thanking those who supported them along the way.

“In partnership with the British Council, we have tried to combine our local experience with the best international practices. This cooperation brings to Albania successful models such as the “21st Century Schools” program, naturally integrating the development of digital competencies, critical thinking and the skills required by the time in which we live”, said Minister Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro emphasized that, “This extracurricular program does not only aim to extend the time spent in school, but to create a new space of opportunities for students, a safe, rich and inspiring environment, where they can discover their talents, develop new skills, build a social, civic education and a new relationship with the environment, with the land”.

According to her, one of the main goals of this initiative is to eliminate the fragmentation of existing programs and create a unified, structured and qualitative approach to after-school activities.

“If on the one hand we are investing in smartlabs and integrating artificial intelligence into curricula, on the other hand we want to distance children from unhealthy technology. And here is the greatest strength of this program. Art and Craft, Land in School, Community Center Schools, or many other initiatives will have to be included under the same umbrella that is after-school education. At the Ministry of Education, we are also working on the payment scheme for these teachers, while British Council partners will support us with training by strengthening the competencies of teachers, but also local actors who will join this program”, underlined Kumbaro.

The teachers, professionals in arts, crafts and sports, as well as the community will play a key role in this program. They will be committed to providing a structured and inspiring experience for students.

“Their presence guarantees high professional standards and directly affects the motivation and involvement of young people. At the Ministry of Education, we are also working on the payment scheme for these teachers, while the British Council partners will support us with training by strengthening the competencies of teachers, but also local actors who will join this program”, explained Minister Kumbaro.

The official logo of this program was also presented at the event, the product of a competition between schools to make students part of the decision-making. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Attending today’s session were: Adela Karapici, Arben Zibri, Aleksandër Çavo, Eni Xheko, Frosela Filo, Erjona Bejleri, Fatmira Kola, Emis Çerava and Matilda Shehu.

The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania has announced three vacant positions for which a total of 19 candidates have expressed an interest.

The three current members, whose mandate has ended, are also in the race: Luljeta Minxhozi, Violeta Staka and Artan Hoxha.

Among the candidates who have expressed interest in these positions are former Deputy Minister of Finance Erjona Bejleri, Professor Selami Xhepa, as well as Frosela Filo, Fatmira Kola, Ingrid Konomi, Merita Bejtja, Emis Çerava, Adela Karapici, Matilda Shehu, Arben Zibri, Eni Xheko, Pajtim Melani, Sajmir Murataj, Liljana Mamadhaj, Elton Korbi, Aleksandër Çavo and the former Head of the Constitutional Court Holta Zaçaj.

According to the Law “On the Bank of Albania”, all members of the Supervisory Council are elected and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic of Albania. Five of the members are proposed by the Assembly, three by the government and one member is proposed by the Supervisory Council itself. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

According to the decision, “The members of this Council requested that the review of the request of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime for the Assembly to authorize arrest of the deputy prime minister should be linked with the Constitutional Court extending a preliminary assessment. The Council appreciated that such a review aims to be a complete, objective decision-making process in accordance with constitutional principles, in order to avoid violating the principle of legal clarity and guarantee the constitutional regularity of the activity and decision-making of the Assembly”, is read in the decision. /p.s./

The opposition MPs appeared in the hall, but according to them, they found the door closed, preventing them from exercising their duty.

According to the Democratic Party MP Oerd Bylykbashi, Speaker of the Parliament Niko Peleshi has closed the door, blocking the process of lifting the immunity of Balluku.

“The Speaker of the Assembly once again refused to call the rest of the members, to take the necessary actions required by law, blocking a very important constitutional process of the Albanian Parliament, for the lifting of immunity and non-obstruction of justice in the investigation of this scandalous corruption affair. We are waiting here for the meeting, but, here we are, the Speaker of the Assembly has closed the door to us”, emphasized Bylykbashi.

Also, according to the DP, Speaker Peleshi does not allow the media to enter the hall of the DP parliamentary group. /m.q/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Attending the meeting was the new head of SPAK Klodian Braho as well as prosecutors Dorina Bejko and Dritan Prençi.

The transparency of the process provoked fierce debates among the parties.

The Democratic Party requested that the meeting should be open to the media and the public, until the moment when SPAK prosecutors present the classified information as investigative secret.

The ruling majority representatives and the SPAK prosecutors didn’t accept this position and requested that the entire process be conducted behind closed doors.

Speaker of the Parliament has requested that SPAK prosecutors propose a mechanism that would allow MPs access to confidential information, without violating the investigative secrecy.

Head of the DP parliamentary group Gazment Bardhi requested an open meeting, the participation of all MPs as well as the provision of evidence.

On the other hand, Head of the SP Parliamentary group Taulant Balla emphasized that the meeting should be closed, in respect of investigative secrecy and that only the members of the Mandates and Immunity Council should participate in it. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

SPAK said today that within the framework of criminal proceedings, it has submitted a request for authorization from the Assembly for the arrest of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

According to SPAK, “Balluku has been taken as a defendant accused of committing the criminal offense “Violation of equality of participants in tenders or public auctions”, committed in collaboration, in connection with the procurement procedure with the object “Construction of the Llogara tunnel”. /m.q//a.f//r.e/p.s./

The joint statement was signed by Head of the Albanian Muslim community Bujar Spahiu, Archbishop Joani, Gjergj Meta representing the Catholic Church, Head of the Bektashis, Father Edmond Brahimaj and from the evangelical churches, Pastor Ergest Biti.

The statement reads that the Interreligious Council of Albania has closely followed over the years every national and international concern on violation of social peace and social coexistence.

“The religious communities in Albania join the international calls of the organization Religions for Peace Europe, the recent call of the Latin and Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem, the call of 80 Orthodox rabbis from around the world, Islamic and Christian communities from around the world, the UN and other international institutions, where with their appeal, they express their deep concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, demanding an immediate end to the war and the release of all hostages,” the statement reads.

The Council calls for an end to violence and guarantees the protection of lives of innocent civilians, especially women and children, who are the greatest victims of this conflict. The forced displacement of the population, the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the destruction of basic infrastructure cannot be justified in any way and constitute a grave violation of human dignity.

In the spirit of inter-religions solidarity and the moral responsibility that religion carries, the Inter-religious Council of Albania reaffirms that lasting peace can only be built on justice, mercy and mutual respect.

Albanian religious leaders call on world leaders, international institutions and all people of goodwill to step up efforts to end the conflict, to immediately provide the necessary humanitarian assistance and to pave the way for a just and lasting peace in and around the Holy Land. /p.s./