Sharing new footage from the ongoing operations, Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday reiterated that this is a long-term initiative and will not stop until all public spaces are fully reclaimed.

“This is neither a summer rain nor a temporary campaign – it’s an operation paving the way for Urban Renaissance 2.0,” Rama said.

“Many mistakenly thought this was a short downpour, others described it as a summer action. But those who believed this to be a continuous and determined operation to fully liberate public spaces and make way for Urban Renaissance 2.0 were right, it seems,” the Prime Minister stated.

Unlike a short-term enforcement campaign, this initiative – launched in July – is designed as a systematic and permanent intervention, continuing as a priority across the country.

To further combat illegal constructions, the new Criminal Code envisages harsher penalties.

In addition, a new National Regulation will soon be introduced to guide private entities on legally designated areas for business use, ensuring a clear legal framework for utilization of public space.

Citizens can also report abuses through the online portal “Hapësiraimepublike.gov.al” (MyPublicSpace.gov.al). So far, 12,491 reports have been submitted, of which 9,122 have been resolved, while 3,369 are currently under review.

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In a social media post sharing footage of metal structures being dismantled from sidewalks and roads, Rama pledged there would be “no pause, on every street and neighborhood, until the end” of the campaign launched in July under the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” initiative.

Authorities said 8,224 reported cases have already been resolved, while 3,269 remain under review. A National Regulation is being drafted to define which public spaces businesses may legally use.

Rama added that businesses placing chairs or structures in restricted areas will be required to contribute a tree to a new government-run Green Fund, part of the administration’s push to expand urban greenery.

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Prime Minister Edi Rama on Thursday shared footage showing the release of public areas previously seized without authorization by private businesses.

“The clearing of blockades continues. We move forward,” Rama wrote alongside a video depicting businesses vacating the occupied spaces, which are now being returned to the citizens.

The freeing of public spaces is part of the government’s “Urban Renaissance 2.0” vision.

In this context, Rama announced that a National Regulation is being drafted to legally define the areas businesses may utilize.

Liberating public spaces is essential not only to improve service quality but also to ensure the proper functioning of every business and enterprise, aligned with national hospitality and service standards – not just in tourist zones but throughout all corners of Albania.

The campaign to free public spaces began in early July and remains a key priority for both local and central authorities in safeguarding community living standards.

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This action is part of a wider municipal campaign across Albania aimed at freeing public areas from illegal occupation.

The move seeks to improve coexistence among citizens and tourists amid the peak summer season, restoring pedestrian access and enhancing urban functionality.

Local authorities have pledged to continue these efforts throughout July, extending also to public beaches, pedestrian zones, and shared residential spaces nationwide.\

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Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj addressed the remembrance ceremony saying that it was for all those who fought and gave their lives for freedom while today we mark one of the most important moments of the capital.

Veliaj said that remembering the past means honoring the sacrifice and achievement of our predecessors.

“Today, we in Tirana do not forget, but remember our predecessors. From yesterday’s barricades to present-day battles, freedom is a continuous battle for the future that we have in our minds and hearts” – said Veliaj.

The mayor of Tirana said further that the fight for the Liberation of Tirana is an incomparable heroic deed.

“We should rise above selfishness and divisions to create a more just society. History teaches us that every Liberation requires sacrifice. Although this one of ours has no shells, it still requires the same strength and idealism. 80 years later, thanks to their sacrifice, Tirana and Albania are today stronger than ever” – said Veliaj.

On her part, Speaker of the Assembly of Albania Elisa Spiropali declared that the battle for Tirana and the liberation of Albania is a historical testament, a moral compass, for orientation of the Albanian society to make the right choices in these once again dramatic times for humanity.

“Anti-fascism is one of the greatest values ​​of the European civilization of the recent past and one of the most solemn guarantees of the future. Albania has lined up today in the right side of history, choosing freedom based on the best values ​​of humanity. European Albania is undoubtedly part of this historical testament with its roots in anti-fascist Albania”, stated Spiropali.

While Prefect of Tirana region Afrim Qendro recalled the historical significance of this event. He appreciated the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom of the capital and the role of liberation as a turning point for the national liberation struggle.

“It was not just a military victory, but a triumph of the free spirit, of the thirst for independence, dignity and self-determination. Dialogue, understanding and respect are essential elements for democracy”, said Dalipi./p.s./

To commemorate this event, there have been organized activities in all the educational institutions of the capital.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media photos from some of the capital schools, which have been painted in the red and black colors of the flag.

“Today, the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Tirana! The students of the capital schools organize different activities on occasion of the Liberation Day of Tirana” – wrote PM Rama.

The liberation of Tirana is a historical moment and is considered one of the most important and successful operations that the National Liberation Army of Albania units have carried out against the German forces and their collaborators for the liberation of the cities of Albania.

The military operation for the liberation of Tirana ended with victory after 19 days of fierce fighting inside the city, as well as along the roads leading to it. And finally, on November 17, Tirana was liberated. /a.f/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama took to the social media on Tuesday to unveil a calendar of events scheduled by the Ministry of Defense to mark Albania’s independence and liberation anniversaries on November 28 and 29 respectively.

“80th anniversary of liberation, one of the most important events in history that is marked and celebrated all over the country,” PM Rama said.

Various events are scheduled to take place in Dibër, Berat, Ulqin, Tuz, Vlorë, Tirana, Podgorice, Shkodër, Korçë, Skopje, Prishtinë, etc.

Albania celebrates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the country from the Nazi-fascist invaders on November 29. From April 7, 1939, Albania was under the fascist occupation. After Italy’s capitulation in the fall of 1943, the country was occupied by Germany.

By the end of November 1944, after the liberation of Tirana, a significant part of the country’s north was also liberated. The liberation of Shkoder also marked the liberation of Albania from the German occupation.

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In the video published by the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, the 26-year-old Karkini, a former student of Architecture and at the same time co-founder of a startup in the field of design and marketing, explained that, “The idea for the logo came naturally since this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Albania. The symbol of this event is the “Mother Albania” monument realized by the famous sculptors Kristaq Rama, Muntaz Dhrami and Shaban Hadëri”.

“The flag flutters in the wind and from this image came the idea of the ribbon that forms the 80 years that we enjoy in freedom; it gives the feeling that independence gives you,” said Karkini.

Karkini said that, “It is encouraging for me that the creation and the idea will be in this massive inclusion as state documents, branding and activities”.

The National Logo of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Albania was the first selected by a special commission set up at the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, where among many proposals submitted by young people interested in moving on to the selection phase and the agreement in The State Commission directed by Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi.

The National Logo of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Albania, which bears the authorship of Ejona Karkini, will be representative symbolism and will accompany the official events and protocol documents of the Central State Institutions, as an identifying part of the celebrations and as an image during the development of activities in 2024. The current year is the nationwide year of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Albania by decision of the government on January 17, 2024.

The National Logo of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Albania contains national patriotic elements and was evaluated by the respective commissions as the most dignified representation of the image of the Nationwide 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Albania.

Young people, artists and creators in the field of visual arts, responded to the invitation of the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation to make their artistic contribution in the competition organized on this occasion, where 64 projects that met all the criteria as works competed worthily, previously unpublished, individual and working group./k.s/r.e/p.s./

During a briefing to reporters after the government meeting, Peleshi said that, “This commission is headed by the Minister of Defense and is composed of several ministers as well as several heads of relevant institutions such as the National Library, the General Directorate of Archives, the Institute of Monuments Culture”.

Also, he added, organizations of war veterans and families of martyrs will be invited and be active participants.

“It won’t be just an event on November 29, but it will be a celebration extending throughout the year; not just festive events, but also scientific events, various researches as well as events aimed at encouraging and promoting love for the Motherland and patriotism, especially among the younger generations”, said Peleshi, among other things./p.s./

Twenty four years ago today, June 12, 1999, after a 78-day air campaign by the U.S.-led Western Military Alliance against Serbian-Montenegrin military targets in Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, NATO troops entered Kosovo in a peacekeeping mission that would be called KFOR , ending the almost two-year war between the insurgent Albanians in the Kosovo Liberation Army ranks and the Serbian forces.

Praised by many as the country’s liberation day, as well as one of the milestone events in Kosovo’s history, June 12, although not recognized as official holiday, is the day that the international diplomats will recall as the day when the West and Russia were about to start a confrontation.

The first NATO troops to enter Pristina on the 12th of June 1999 were Norwegian special forces from Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK) and soldiers from the British Special Air Service, finding themselves in front of the Russian troops that had arrived first in Pristina Airport ahead of a NATO deployment in a bid to divide Kosovo, resulting in a tense stand-off.

Russia intended to send thousands of reinforcements by air, but Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania rejected Moscow’s request for the use of their airspace after Washington’s intervention.

After the US-British troops took over the airport runway, the Russian Foreign Ministry called the intervention of its soldiers “a mistake.” Over a million Kosovo Albanians returned back to their homes after the NATO troops entered the country.

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