As reported by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, the operation entailed configuring UH-60 Black Hawk cabins for MedEvac capabilities and evaluating specialized equipment to ensure high-quality, in-flight patient care.

Major General Lisa Hou, Director of the Office of Medical Services at the U.S. National Guard Bureau, visited to observe the training firsthand and commend the professionalism and capability of Albanian Air Force personnel.

“This continued cooperation reinforces the partnership between U.S. and Albanian forces in support of real-world search and rescue operations,” the U.S. Embassy stated. /p.s./

Fire crews and a helicopter are battling the blaze in difficult terrain, hindered by high temperatures above 40°C and strong winds near residential areas.

Local reports indicate that four to five firefighter crews are working to put out the fire. The blaze is on a hillside near several homes. /p.s./

Minister of Internal Affairs Albana Koçiu made today a balance sheet of the process focused on Farka area since November 3.

Minister Koçiu said that so far there have been inspected 423 objects in FGarka area and it is found out that there were 3,324 m² of illegal construction.

According to the minister, there have been imposed administrative measures for the violations identified with a fine of 2 million euros.

“The National Inspectorate of Territory Protection, supported by the State Police, are on the ground every day to verify and punish any abuse of the approved permit. We shall enforce the law”, assured Koçiu.

During the verification process, the situation on the ground is compared with the documentation made available by the Municipality of Tirana, to verify whether the permits granted are being respected by the builders.

This operation aims to put an end to abuses with unauthorized construction, including punishing authorities who turn a blind eye or are implicated in illegal actions. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

After inspections on the ground and by drone, the State Police, in cooperation with the Inspectorate has found violations that require immediate intervention.

“Today, we are in the territory of Farka. After inspections on the ground and aerial monitoring with drones, the State Police in cooperation with the Inspectorate have found a series of illegalities related to the constructions that are being developed in this territory,” said Minister Koçiu during the inspection.

She emphasized that this operation is part of a broader process that has been underway for months to clear up public spaces and will be followed by a national action against unauthorized constructions throughout the country.

According to her, all measures are being implemented on the basis of the latest legal package, which strengthens the mechanisms of territorial control and sanctions against any abuse. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

Minister of Health and Social Protection Albana Koçiu shared today in the social media the images of the transformation of this medical center into a building with modern conditions, which will provide health services for about three thousand local residents.

“400 medical centers and clinics have already been rehabilitated, in line with our commitment to improve primary health services, of which 60 in 2023-2024 alone, guaranteeing quality services for 1.6 million citizens”, wrote Koçiu./r.e/p.s./

Vengu stated that, “In this air base, there is being made a significant investment in regard to the needs of the new team of pilots and mechanics of the Black Hawk helicopters”.

He emphasized that this is a completely new hangar.

He emphasized that, “Following completion of the works on construction of this hangar, we aim to carry out maintenance work on Black Hawk helicopters in these facilities by our own mechanics, which significantly reduces maintenance costs and also significantly improves the level of readiness and operation.”

“For the first time, we shall have a practically autonomous unit, where all the needs related to piloting, maintenance, operation of the Black Hawks will take place in a proper place where all the needs are addressed”, said Vengu.

On the other hand, Vengu added, “The crews of the new helicopters are being trained by our strategic ally, the USA, to carry out not only troop transport or medical evacuations, but also engage in civil emergencies and search and rescue operations.”

Vengu also said that, “Our pilots are being certified, aiming for night flying, which means that the crews will also be available 24-hours a day”. /p.s./

While participating in the awarding ceremony of the winners of the 3 disciplines, Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj expressed his happiness that sports and especially these competitions are becoming an annual tradition in the city of Tirana.

Veliaj said that this is thanks to the investments made. Thus, he singled out the new Park of Farka, the donors who cooperate with the Municipality of Tirana, but above all thanks to all those who are united by the sporting spirit to compete regardless of the price.

“Present-day Farka has become an extraordinary destination. We started here with Kostas Bakoyannis, the mayor of Athens when we opened Helen Park. Many people thought that it was something small and no one could imagine that after a while we would have a second park in Tirana, after the Lake of Tirana. This would not have been possible without an extraordinary group of donors who chose to sponsor not only the event, but also the awards and provided for all those who came here today. I am really grateful! The invitation to all parents is, register your children in sports! More than we train the muscles, we want to train our mind, our soul with sports culture and team play,” said Veliaj.

The mayor said that the big sports events, especially in this year when Tirana is the European city of sports, will not remain like that.

He said that in October, Tirana marathon will take place.

“We live in the Balkans. And this is a region where we all have a little more zeal for debate, or to say a word more than necessary, but sport has taught us that in a neighborhood where we live together, we fall together. If we do not understand that we cannot choose our neighbors, but we are destined to live together, destined to cooperate, destined to flourish together, then sport is the best diplomacy. So sisters and brothers, let’s remember that sport brings us together. It doesn’t matter if we are from Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, or Bulgaria, we are part of a community. Therefore, as we fall together, we rise together and cooperate with each other,” Veliaj concluded his speech./p.s./

The little ones were given the opportunity to see the air base, touch tools and equipment, which are used in emergency cases and not only, to meet the pilots or to conduct short flights with helicopters.

This activity, apart from being a way to entertain the children on their day of celebration, is also a promotional opportunity for the Armed Forces, to inspire the next generation to be oriented towards the Armed Forces.

Such activities aim to promote aviation and highlight the professionalism of Armed Force personnel./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in the social media photos from the Farka market built thanks to the cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture with the Municipality of Tirana.

The agri-food market of Farka extends over an area of 55 thousand m2, 20 thousand of which is storage space and 5 thousand m2 is space for farmers with daily trading and 10 thousand m2 is parking space.

Located only 10 minutes away from the center of Tirana, Farka’s agri-food market will improve food safety by minimizing risks.

Farmers can sell their products in this market with zero tax, while consumers will buy organic products at cheaper price, controlled and certified according to European standards. /m.m/ /gj.m/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today in social media images of the new public market of Farka which creates the necessary space for farmers and consumers.

“Farmers and consumers will be able to sell and buy different products saving them time and especially financial costs,” wrote Rama.

Very soon, the farmers of the villages of Tirana can sell their products in the large food market in Farka.

This market will be public with a minimum fee for small traders and under the administration of the Municipality of Tirana. The market will be an example and a meeting point of farmers, processors and traders with the consumer.

The agricultural market activity will mainly focus on the interconnection between farmers, producers and buyers; aggregating the products of individual farmers and providing appropriate means and methods for promoting and selling their products as a single unit, thus enabling the sale of products in large volumes; guaranteeing fair and uniform prices for farmers’ agricultural products; ensuring a stable supply of domestic agricultural products for big buyers, etc./m.m/j.p/p.s./