According to the Albanian Gymnastics Federation, the red and black jersey girls gave a fantastic performance, while also receiving the congratulations of the jury.

33 countries from all over the world took part in the competition, while in total there were about 3800 athletes in Lisbon. Albania was represented by the gymnasts: Merili Islami, Mishela Bitanji, Maria Zefi, Sara Moleci, Nil Elbasani, Nadia Daci, Enesa Sulaj, Chloe Qenanaj, Ilenia Sevdari, Silja Muhameti, Megi Papadhami, Iris Kadiu, Leandra Çela and Melisa Agolli.

Without a doubt, the merit for this success of the gymnasts from the age of 7-12 goes to the national team coaches, the General Secretary of the Association Eliriana Karaj, but also to President Leonard Lulaj.

The girls who participated in this championship were from the teams of Berat, Shkodra, Lushnja and Tirana. /p.s./

Portugal qualified into the final after defeating Italy in the semi-finals after the penalties, with a score of 4-3.

While France defeated Belgium in the semi-final with a score of 3-2 and qualified into the grand final of June 1. /p.s./

On the sidelines of the 22nd Plenary meeting of the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA), which is taking place in Rome, AMA Chairwoman Armela Krasniqi signed a memorandum of cooperation with her Portuguese counterpart Helena Sousa.

The memorandum aims to create a legal framework for increasing cooperation in areas of interest and mutual assistance between the regulators of the two countries.

The memorandum is based on three important pillars: Media education; Methodology for monitoring audiovisual content; Expert exchange programs.

“It is a rather important memorandum for the future of our institution,” said AMA chairwoman. “We hope to cooperate in areas such as quantitative and qualitative media monitoring, media education, technology and other areas. We will exchange as much information as possible with each other regarding all the challenges that our regulators face,” said Krasniqi. /r.e/p.s./

Agriculture Minister Denaj said that the cooperation aims at increasing made in Albania products presence in the Portuguese markets and take advantage of Portugal’s experience in setting up and operating agricultural insurance schemes by advancing the country’s efforts to align national legislation on agriculture with that of the European Union.

The two countries are committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation as reflected through the cooperation agreements between AIDA and AICEP, as well as the activity of the Luso-Albanes chamber of commerce.

Albania’s exports to Portugal were valued at 213 million lek and imports were estimated at 1.6 billion lek in 2023.

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Rama said that Costa is a well-known and highly valued reformer and they discussed innovative digital projects.

It was also discussed about the Artificial Intelligence models that the governments of the two countries are developing.

The two prime ministers also spoke about the transformative program of the Portuguese government for social housing and agreed that a team of Albanian experts will also go to Portugal.

“The special pleasure of today’s visit by the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa, the well-known and highly valued reformer, with whom we also discussed the innovative digital projects, the Artificial Intelligence models that our governments are developing, as well as the transformative program of the Portuguese government for social housing, for which we will send a team of experts to Portugal”, Rama wrote in the social media. /p.s./

At the meeting with her Portuguese counterpart, Parliament Speaker Nikolla expressed gratitude for Portugal’s support for Albania’s European Union membership bid, especially when Portugal held the rotating Presidency of the Council of Europe in 2021.

“Portugal’s Cravinho was the first Foreign Minister to visit Albania immediately after the country had the accession talks opened. The two countries have established close and friendly cooperation,” Nikolla said.

Nikolla also expressed gratitude for Portugal’s assistance to cope with the effects of the devastating earthquake that hit Albania on November 26, 2019.

Parliament Speaker also praised Portugal’s approach to integration of the Western Balkan region in the EU.

The two countries can expand economic cooperation in areas like the digitalization, tourism, environment, sustainable development, creative industries and labour market.

Nikolla called for support for Kosovo’s bid to join the Council of Europe and the motion for the Albanian Assembly Resolution on the Dick Marty Report.

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This activity consists of 1000 best choirs and ensembles, of which the “Siparantum Choir” of Kosovo is already a part.

In addition to these two activities, the choir will also attend the Friendship Concert that will be held in the Aula Magna hall of the Universidade de Lisboa, the largest and most prestigious university in Portugal.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports, which supports the representatives of Kosovo in this international event, wished further success to the “Siparantum Choir” through social networks.

The Balkan countries in this artistic event are represented of Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo and Greece./p.s./

President of the European Affairs Committee Luís Capoulas Santos was also present at the Conference.

President Ruçi praised the contribution of the Portuguese Presidency in promoting the integration of the Western Balkans.

“The Portuguese presidency has kept the issue of enlargement at the top of its agenda. The decision of the European Council, in March 2020, to open membership negotiations with Albania has paved the way for the next step in Albania’s path towards the EU, that of the first inter-governmental conference. In June 2020, the Albanian government approved and launched the implementation of the Action Plan to meet the requirements of the Council conclusions of March 2020. Based on implementation of the Action Plan, considerable progress has been made and the requirements for the Intergovernmental Conference have been met,” said Ruçi.

He stressed that “Albania is grateful for the strong and visible support to our country and North Macedonia.”

Ruçi noted the concrete achievements of Albania in the process of European integration, which has served as an impetus for the democratization of Albania, the consolidation of institutions and especially for the strengthening of the rule of law.

Albania, he said, “has successfully maintained the positive trend of continuous development in all areas related to European integration.”

“Albania carried out electoral reform and has made further and visible progress with implementation of justice reform. Considerable work has been done in terms of the vetting process. The Constitutional Court has regained its quorum and its full functioning. The Supreme Court has become functional. The fight against corruption has been intensified by consolidating operational coordination and monitoring capacities. Other tangible results have been achieved in the fight against organized crime”, said Ruçi.

He stressed that, “Albania hopes that the Council will be able to quickly approve the negotiating framework and set the date for the first Intergovernmental Conference. This will serve to move further towards deeper and more comprehensive reforms and to become a tool to better meet all membership criteria,” said Ruçi.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues said that, “Portugal has been and will be a supporter of Albania’s accession to the European family”.

The Chairman of the European Affairs Committee Luís Capoulas Santos said that he has closely followed Albania’s progress in achieving the integration objectives and Portugal is clear and determined to support Albania in holding the First Inter-governmental Roundtable as soon as possible.

“In Portugal, there is a broad consensus of Parliament, Government and political forces on this. Albania is a country worthy of joining the EU as soon as possible,” he added. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Xhaçka said that she expressed gratitude for the efforts and kindness of Portugal to advance the integration of Albania and the entire Western Balkans into the European Union.

“A very fruitful phone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal Augusto Santos Silva. I expressed my gratitude for Portugal’s efforts and kindness to advance the integration of Albania and the entire Western Balkans into the EU. We hope that the First Intergovernmental Conference will take place as promised, to pave the way for Albania to move forward”, she said./m.m/j.p/p.s./