During July, Albania’s six main border points processed an average of over 90,000 passengers and 34,000 vehicles daily. Minister Malaj reported that high tourist activity brought a monthly total of 1.7 million passengers and 702,000 vehicles.

Morina recorded the highest traffic with roughly 422,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles. Other major crossing points included Kapshtica (204,000 passengers, 48,000 vehicles), Kakavija (199,000 passengers, 46,000 vehicles), Hani i Hotit (171,000 passengers, 84,000 vehicles), and Qafë Botë (132,000 passengers, 37,000 vehicles).

Minister Malaj noted that customs teams are working to manage heavy traffic and speed up border crossings for travelers. This surge in movement coincides with a peak tourism season marked by high visitor volume from all directions.

/e.xh/j.p/p.s./

During the night and morning hours, the temperatures dropped in mountainous areas to 16 degrees below zero, creating frost on the roads. The vehicle movement has been slower in some road segments under snow as the drivers find it difficult to drive.

The situation is more problematic on the mountainous roads of the northeast and in the southeast areas, where drivers must move with increased caution. Traffic continues, but at reduced speed.

Drivers are advised to use winter tires, chains, maintain a safe distance and avoid unnecessary movements. /j.p/p.s./

According to official data from the Morina Border Police and Migration, 10,684 citizens have been registered at the entrance to the Albanian territory. They have crossed the border with 4,472 vehicles, the media report.

Meanwhile, the largest flow has been recorded at the exit. During the last 24 hours, 12,601 citizens have left Albania, with 4,976 vehicles, which indicates a greater movement towards Kosovo.

The authorities said that at the Morina border crossing there are 12 counters open, both at the entrance and exit, to cope with the flow and avoid long waits.

According to the media, the highest number of citizens at the exit is mainly related to emigrants from Kosovo, coming from Italy, Switzerland and Germany, who have chosen to transit through Albania.

Many of them are traveling to celebrate the New Year, but also to participate in Sunday’s elections for the Kosovo Assembly.

Border authorities continue to be on standby to manage the flow of movements in the coming hours. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

On the 35th anniversary of the student movement of December ’90, Begaj emphasized that the European aspiration of Albanians remains inseparable from the ideals of freedom and democracy, which inspired the student movement.

“On this day 35 years ago, the call of idealistic students echoed in the streets of Tirana: ‘We love Albania like all of Europe!’. The courage and youth movement of December ’90 paved the way for a European Albania. Every step we take on this journey honors the youthful courage that brought down the iron curtain that separated Albania from Europe,” Begaj said.

December 8, Youth Day, is commemoration of the Student Movement in the history of Albania.

Albanian Parliament decided in 2009 that this day is a national holiday in honor of all the students of December 1990 and all Albanian youth.

On December 8, 1990, a group of students and professors from the universities of Tirana became the initiators and protagonists of the great historical turning point, the peaceful protests that brought about the fall of the communist system and the birth of democracy in Albania.

This day carries national values because unlike other events, December 8th did not have two sides, a winner and a loser. /p.s./

On Youth Day, at the Student town there was held a commemorative event to honor the figure of the leader of December Movement Azem Hajdari, as well as the students, teachers, workers and young people who took part in the movement for change, hope and freedom.

Berisha praised the extraordinary role that young people played in December 1990, in the history of freedom of the Albanians.

“Like today, 35 years ago, on December 8, 1990, students of the University of Tirana and other higher education institutions, led by the tribune of freedom, Azem Hajdari, launched the protests, the democratic revolution, which like a real hurricane in three days divided the eras and established political pluralism in the most monist country in the world,” said Berisha, while expressing that “for Albanians in Albania, December 8, 1990 is the birthday of their freedoms.”

Berisha said that Azem Hajdari and the liberating students will remain immortal in the pantheon of freedom of the Albanian nation forever.

The student movement of 1990, according to Berisha, laid the foundations of freedom and the building of a free society in Albania.

The leader of the Democratic Party added that, “Today, on Youth Day, December 8, Edi Rama comes as the fiercest enemy of Albanian youth in our entire history. He has done the utmost for an Albania without opposition”.

In conclusion, he called on the youth to take the fate of the country into their own hands, not for personal interests, but for the future of their children and grandchildren, thus ensuring the continuity of the ideals of December ’90. /m.m/ /a.g/p.s./

EUR.1 is recognized as the most important certificate in foreign trade in the legal sense, especially in the framework of several bilateral and multilateral agreements of the Pan-European preferential system (association agreement with the European Union).

Based on the notice published on December 30, 2024, in the Official Journal of the European Union, regarding the electronic issuance of EUR.1 movement certificates, so far the countries that issue electronic certificates and with which our country implements a free trade agreement are Norway and Turkey.

The EUR.1 certificate of origin is a document that certifies the preferential origin of goods originating from a contracting party such as: EU countries, CEFTA countries, EFTA countries, Turkey, the United Kingdom that are imported into Albania, or exported from Albania to these countries in order to benefit from preferential treatment.

This certificate is issued by the customs authorities where there are carried out export procedures, on the basis of an application made in writing by the exporter, or his official representative. /r.e/p.s./

In a special greeting message, President Begaj honors all the young people who 34 years ago stood up against the harsh dictatorial regime and ignited the fall of communism through the popular movement.

President Begaj highlighted the courage of that generation of students with a Western vision, who was looking for freedom and democracy, while stating that “On this day, we celebrate the youthful spirit of the generations that will always take Albania forward”.

“Today,” wrote the president, “we are all inspired by the civic and political act of December ’90 to make a reality the aspiration expressed in the epic call: “We love Albania like all of Europe!”

“34 years ago, progressive Albanian students changed the course of Albanian history. The popular movement, which overthrew the dictatorship and led to the birth of pluralism, was initiated and inspired by the students. December Movement of 1990 ignited the flame of a people in search of freedom, democracy and Western values”, is read in the message of the president.

“On ​​December 8, National Youth Day, we honor the movement of the generation of students who overthrew the dictatorship and celebrate the youthful spirit of the generations that will always lead Albania forward”, wrote Begaj.

“Today, we are all inspired by the civic and political act of December 1990 to make a reality the aspiration expressed in the epic call: “We love Albania like all of Europe! Honor forever!”, concluded the message of President Begaj. /p.s./

“Average rainfalls across the country, bringing rolling stones and inert materials falling along Skuraj-Burrel road, but which were immediately cleaned by the work groups, preventing the creation of difficulties in traffic”, said the Road Authority.

The Road Authority also reported of heavy snowfall and wind blowing in the northern area, such as in Ura e Zapodit-Shishtavec in Tamara-Vermosh, in Qafë Thore-Boga, Klos, Peshkopi, Bajram Curri-Fierzë, in Tropoja.

“In the morning, even in Qafë Thane, the snowfall has started with average intensity. Snow-plows and maintenance workers have been on site non-stop. The roads are cleared of snow and traffic continues without problems”, said the Road Authority.

The Road Authority appealed to drivers to equip themselves with winter tires and chains when traveling along snow-covered areas, to reduce speed, to respect the traffic signs and instructions of the Traffic Police. /k.s/p.s./

Through this letter, they express their support for the impressive work that the team of the Albanian National Olympic Committee and President Fidel Ylli are doing for the Olympic Movement in Albania.

The highest leaders of European Olympism, present at the first Albanian Gala “Sports Stars”, estimate that “Team Albania” has brought innovation to the European Olympic Movement as an important team for the European Olympic family.

Capralos and Pagnozzi have also appreciated the support of the Albanian Government and personally of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Sports Ogerta Manastirliu for massifying sports and the Olympic spirit in the country./p.s./

Balla said that, “The facilitated movement in the 6 countries of the Western Balkans with identity cards is a regional agreement which creates the possibility for a more united region, better connected countries with each other. In fact, the agreement entered into force in June 2023, while the last country to sign and ratify was Serbia, which through the letter of July 31, 2023 announced the adoption of this agreement”.

Balla added that, “Thanks to this agreement, in Albania there has been a total of 8 million and 501 thousand citizens who have entered and departed. Kosovo citizens have benefited the most. 2.26 million Kosovar citizens have entered Albania only with identity cards thanks to this agreement.”

Balla emphasized that, “This is an agreement that should be accompanied by another essential element, the facilitation of the crossing at the border crossing points”.

Meanwhile, Balla underlined, “One of the problems encountered at the border crossing points is the unification of the identification of travelers, i.e., persons crossing the border crossing point, because for example in our case and North Macedonia, we use TIMS and North Macedonia a different system”./p.s./