Built around the 11th century, this Byzantine church is associated with historical figures such as George Kastrioti Skanderbeg and his wife Donika, who are said to have frequented it for mass and religious ceremonies.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation Blendi Gonxhja said today that thanks to the partnership between the ministry, the EU4Culture program and the United Nations agency UNOPS, the object of worship has been restored to its authentic state.

“The Church of Saint Mary in Mamurras, a pearl of the cultural and historical heritage of Kurbin, built around the 11th century, is the one where George Kastrioti and Donika are said to have visited for mass or the celebration of religious ceremonies. After the damage it suffered from the 2019 earthquake, thanks to Ministry’s partnership with EU4Culture and UNOPS, this Byzantine church has been restored as a symbol of history, religious harmony and sustainable tourism”, said Minister Gonxhja.

The restoration of this church is an important step in the protection and promotion of Albanian cultural heritage, turning it into a visitable destination for locals and foreigners alike. /r.e/p.s./

The Ministry of Defence said in a press release that the blaze has spread quickly and the situation is very challenging due to the terrain.

A huge fire has swept across the forest canopy around the town of Laç and close to the road leading to the Saint Anthony (Shna Ndou) Church, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Albania.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama posted photos in the social media today showing the works on the town hall.

Head of the government stressed that the new town hall will soon provide public services with optimal conditions and high standards for the local residents of the area.

“Good morning and with these photos showing the works for building anew of Kurbin town hall, which after the destruction it suffered during the earthquake is being constructed day by day bigger, stronger, more beautiful, to offer soon public services with optimal conditions and standards for the local residents of the area, I wish you a good day “, Rama wrote on the social media. /j.p/p.s./

Basha said that, “We are not here to oppose one another within our political family, but to show how we can be stronger even during hard times.

Basha highlighted the need of standing side by side with one another and never losing the guide, i.e. the Democratic Party.

According to Basha, the change comes through vote that should be guaranteed by reform of the electoral system and the vetting of the politicians.

Speaking about the former prime minister Sali Berisha, Basha said that, “On September 9, I took a decision hoping that Berisha would let us move forward abiding by a standard that he had supported by himself: Whoever is non-grata should not be at least in politics.”

Basha pointed to the January 8 event which marked the separation line between the majority and the minority, i.e. violence.  And Berisha crossed that red line.

“We say stop or out to all those who attempt to divide the DP at the benefit of Edi Rama”, concluded Basha./k.s/a.a/r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared some photos in the social media to show the thorough transformation that the centre has experienced.

“Here’s the new complex of services for 120 thousand drivers in Kurbin Regional Directorate. It will open in few days time”, said PM Rama.

The Directorate of Road Transport Services has been offering even the technical control service of the vehicles since May 31; hence there are more investments made to adapt the venues to meet this purpose.

Thanks to these investments, all the Regional Directorates of Road Transport Services have ensured worthy working and service conditions./p.s./

The Independent Qualification Commission held today a session for announcing the decision for the subject of re-evaluation Ajola Prençi.

Prençi was vetted on three evaluation criteria, that of legitimacy of wealth and the ethical and professional criterion on 26 October.

The trial panel composed of Suela Zhegu, Firdes Shuli, Brunilda Bekteshi, after analyzing the evidence and facts, decided to dismiss Prençi because of questions with her wealth.

Ajola Prençi, completed her studies at the School of Magistrates in 2004 and for a decade served in the Shkodra Prosecutor’s Office. In 2014, Prençi was appointed to the Mati Prosecutor’s Office, while since 2016 she has been working in the Kurbin Prosecutor’s Office. /j.p/p.s./

Rama positively assessed the progress of works at the site and saw even the final model of some apartments.

Mayor of Kurbin Majlinda Cara said that the apartments will be finished by the end of August.

“The Turkish company has simultaneously begun works even with the second lot. There is work at the school, too. Meanwhile, the apartments in two blocks of apartments are almost completed while all the zone will be handed over to the local residents in August, together with the infrastructure that surround the zone”, said  Cara.

Likewise, she said that in Kurbin there has been progress even with the individual houses.

« There are 200 families that have preferred to get the grant and built their own houses; they have applied for the construction permits and 40 of them have already begun the construction of the houses”, said  Cara.

Meanwhile, she informed that there is under procurement procedure the other 200 individual houses to be built by the government support. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Accompanied by ambassador of the EU delegation in Tirana Luigi Soreca and Minister of State for Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, Rama initially stopped at the “Gjok Elezi” school, which is being rebuilt from scratch.

“The project is part of the second phase while we are towards finalization of the first phase with government funds. Now we are in the second phase with EU funds to continue to build high quality schools, which have nothing less than good schools in EU countries,” said Rama.

The prime minister emphasized that, “Among other things, the new schools are energy efficient schools that guarantee energy savings and a much more pleasant microclimate even in summer when the premises are cooler, and we know when the premises are warmer.”

Rama expressed gratitude to all partners and especially our friend from Naples, EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca.

Minister Ahmetaj informed that the school “Gjok Elezi” will be handed over in August. This is a big school with 28 classrooms and over 330 students. The school has laboratory facilities and was built after consulting with the community that has contributed with its thoughts on how it loves the school “, said Ahmetaj.

The minister stressed that the investment in this school goes to 1.5 million Euros, while adding that there are 58 schools that are built with EC funding.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Kurbin Majlinda Cara said that the school is bigger, as the existing school has been divided into two buildings. “Here we have 5400 square meters of construction. We have a garden, outdoor sports fields and an indoor gym,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ahmetaj informed that the school “Demokracia” in Mamurras is for reconstruction. UNDP has been subcontracted with the grant given by the EC. There are 58 schools with the EC program, 22 with the first lot and 36 with the second lot”, he said.

In Kurbin, there are 4 schools and 2 kindergartens that are being built by the EC program. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

In his remarks, Basha said that,” together we took the path to change in one of the most European, most civic, truest, even most beautiful ways ever happened in 30 years of pluralism. Together we will lead the path to victory.”

“The results of April 25 elections will not be forgotten, which stand out despite the election massacre, they stand out as an act of courage you gave to the Democrats, the courage you gave to your voters, our voters here in Kurbin,” Basha said.

“The Democratic Party went into this battle, as the founders and conservatives among you know, just like in 1991, with no power, but with the greatest power that God can give to man, the moral power, the power of hearts, with the passion and power to help people in their aspiration for change. With the hope that April 25 would end the 8-year deep anguish and also the many questions and dilemmas that held them hostage,” he added. //a.i/

In his speech before the residents of Kurbin, Basha said that change is a matter of days and April 25 is the day of return of hope.

Basha highlighted this force, this power, this enthusiasm and called for people to stand up and join him, all together for change.

Basha also promised that the new government will make transparent assessments of earthquake damage./p.s./