At the recent customs forum, border security, customs officials and international organizations convened to address emerging challenges in firearms and ammunition trafficking. Participants focused on actionable strategies to enhance regional cooperation against illicit arms trade.

Representatives of the Albanian Customs shared the administration’s expertise in strengthening customs controls, optimizing risk management and fostering institutional collaboration to improve border security.

According to the Customs Administration, regional forums serve as a platform to share best practices and coordinate institutional efforts to combat illegal trafficking.

The meeting took place within the framework of joint regional efforts to strengthen security and fight cross-border organized crime. /e.xh/j.p/p.s./

Speaking with the contingent, Vengu praised soldiers for their professionalism and commitment, saying their deployment represented not only a duty but also a strategic contribution to regional security and to Albania’s European integration goals.

He said Albania must act as a future EU member not only politically but also through concrete involvement in international missions, whether under NATO, the EU or in Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean.

Vengu acknowledged the challenges and sacrifices faced by deployed personnel and their families, and said the Defense Ministry remained committed to strengthening the Armed Forces, including through equipment modernisation and improved logistics and support systems.

“I am proud of our men and women in Sarajevo who wear the uniform with honour and represent the Albanian flag,” Vengu said.

Defense Minister attended the A-5 ministerial on Tuesday, a forum bringing together the United States and five Western Balkan countries.

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Flaka started the competition with a clean victory over Turkey’s Aysenur Karadag, but in the quarterfinals she was defeated by Britain’s Chelsie Giles. Further on, she triumphed over Lanina Solley (Great Britain), to secure the duel for the bronze medal. In the decisive match, Loxha defeated compatriot Fatjona Kasapi after a neck and neck match that was decided in the overtime.

On the other hand, Fatjona Kasapi made an excellent performance, defeating Laura Kallinger (Austria) and Andjela Samardzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), but was stopped in the semifinals by Nika Tomc (Slovenia). In the match for the bronze, she was narrowly defeated by Loxha, finishing in fifth place.

The results of the two judokas show the good form of Kosovo’s representatives in international competitions, with medals and high rankings in a tournament with strong competition. /Kosovapress/p.s./

Young Albanian director Evi Gjoni is one of the 63 candidates participating in the Sarajevo Film Festival. She will compete in the “Script Station” section of the festival.

This festival, organized in cooperation with the prestigious “Berlinale” format, will bring together in a special event the best directors and screenwriters, selected from 20 countries, among 560 applicants.

Earlier, Evi Gjoni’s “Sheets” film, financed by the Film Cinema Center, has been honored with prestigious awards in Tirana, Lisbon, London, Athens, Turkey and Trieste.

Sarajevo International Film Festival will be held from 15-22 August 2025. Greece, Romania and Turkey were the countries that contributed the largest number of applicants.

The 2025 edition of Talents Sarajevo focuses on rapid technological changes, streaming platforms and Artificial Intelligence, highlighting the voices of filmmakers and professionals from the region. Through dialogue with peers and industry professionals, the participants will also explore issues of mental health and how they should be addressed in filmmaking: as a shared responsibility, not just a personal one. /p.s./

Addressing the event, Foreign Minister Hasani focused on a series of far-reaching reforms launched by Albanian government to speed up economic growth, strengthen the rule of law, improve business climate, and diversify energy resources and digital government.

Foreign Minister also highlighted potential of the regional integration, stating that cooperation in the Western Balkans was no longer a matter of choice, but an indispensable and essential reality to attract much-needed investment and safeguard the region’s common European future.

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Upon receiving the news, Mayor of Shkodra Benet Beci stated that he was proud of this achievement and thanked the entire troupe of the show.

The “Oslobodenje” media award was given to the play “Visit” of the “Migjeni” theater, directed by Davide Iodice. This was the first time that Albania participated in the MESS festival.

“This is a historic moment for all of us”, the theater “Migjeni” wrote in its website.

This show had its absolute premiere last year, at the “Migjeni” theater in Shkodra and later at ArTurbina in Tirana.

The show “The Visit” based on the masterpiece of H.G. Wells “The Wonderful Visit” and was staged by Davide Iodice, one of the most successful contemporary theater directors.

The work was translated into Albanian by Zija Vukaj. “The Visit” is a co-production of the Sardinia theater and the “Migjeni” theater, with the support of the Italian Institute of Culture in Tirana. /p.s./

Veliaj said that Sarajevo and Tirana have what to learn from each other.

He emphasized that Tirana has experienced a great transformation and has got transformed into a cosmopolitan city.

“The history of Tirana is synonymous with the history of Sarajevo. Tirana may not have suffered the intense siege, like Sarajevo in 94, but Tirana was surrounded by a suffocating system for years, during the communist era, which was followed by a chaotic transition of the 90s, with illegal constructions and mess. Today, all of a sudden, it is the city that experiences perhaps the biggest transformation in our region into a cosmopolitan city. Therefore, during our Presidency of the B-40, before we pass the baton to Sarajevo next year, I really want us to learn, especially from the young people”, he said.

Veliaj praised Sarajevo’s efforts to leave the hard times behind and look toward the future.

“It is a great pleasure that my friend, the fantastic Mayor of Sarajevo, is here today in the threshold of the Presidency of B-40”, he stated.

On her part, Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karić said that the two cities are now closer than ever.

“It is a pleasure to be here in Tirana. We are cities of the future, cities connected to the future and to our young people. We are waiting for you in Sarajevo to create new opportunities and new ways of cooperation for our two cities. Sarajevo and Tirana are not only twinned cities, but we are also cities that are very close by our beautiful traditions, good people and I think this is our greatest value. So, let’s create new opportunities and let’s create a new future together”, she stated.

Mayor Erion Veliaj also received today Mayor of Sofia Vassil Terziev and Mayor of Podgorica Olivera Injac with whom he discussed strengthening of cooperation and friendly ties./p.s./

The government approved yesterday the decision to open the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Albania in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by proposal of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The expenses for opening of this diplomatic mission are covered by the budget of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, approved for the year 2024./m.m/p.s./

The Cinematographic Center of Kosovo has ensured its presence in the international festival with the newest films it has supported.

The premiere of the documentary film “Fran and Verka: or a usual day in an abandoned village” was played at the 29th edition of the Sarajevo Film Festival, while the two other films will be played in the following days.

The documentary film unfolds the story of Fran and Verka, a Croatian couple from Kosovo, who are the only residents of the village of Vërnakollë. By showing a couple’s day, the documentary invites us to think over the feelings of loneliness, belonging and connection to the place we call home.

Director Sovran Nrecaj, producer Aurela Kadriu and director of photography Besim Ugzmajli were present at the premiere, after which they answered the audience’s questions in a discussion session. /p.s./

PM Rama said that he told his Bosnian counterpart that Albania is seeking to strengthen its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and that preparations are being made to open the country’s embassy in Sarajevo.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to an Albanian community and I am very pleased to state that Albania’s Bosnian community enjoys language, cultural and religious rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and under the law on the ethnic minorities,” PM Rama said.

Speaking about the Berlin Process summit, due to be held in Tirana in October, Prime Minister Edi Rama said countries of the region must work together on a new approach, in a bid to gain more support from the EU.

After his visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albanian PM, Edi Rama will travel to Montenegro and Serbia, where he will wrap up his two-day Balkan trip.

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