Speaking during an interview for ATA, Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu highlighted some fields of cooperation that this twin-relations agreement will affect.

Holidaymakers from Gjakova chose Lezha beaches every year while they positively assess the service, cleanness, but even culinary and historical tourism.

Hence, according to Ndreu, this cooperation will focus on promotion of social, economic and tourism activities.

Ndreu also said that the idea of establishing twin-like relations was initiated by Gjakova municipality.

“The twin-like relations aim at promotion of cooperation in fields of common interest like cultural heritage, tourism, education and others”, said Ndreu.

The agreement also aims at easing the cooperation between the two sides.

Lezha mayor said that in this context it is aimed at launching initiatives that urge tourism and support development of social and economic sectors.

Ndreu also mentioned education, cultural and sports activities.

Mayor of Lezha expressed his belief that continued cooperation in these areas will bring numerous benefits to citizens and will contribute to the sustainable development of the region./r.e//a.f/p.s./

During the meeting, Filo and Sinani discussed the possibilities for joint applications for European Union funds, as well as for quotas dedicated to high school graduates from Preshevo Valley ​​who will choose to attend the “Fan S. Noli” University in Korça.

“The establishment of sister-like relations of Preshevo Valley ​​with Korça is not only an institutional agreement, but it implies the strengthening of our national ties and an open opportunity for cooperation in the fields of education, economy and cultural exchanges,” Filo wrote in a post in the social media.

Mayor Filo stated that, “Our relation as twin cities is evidence that Albanians everywhere are one, with one language, one culture and a common future.” /k.s/r.e/p.s./

“I am delighted that today I am together with President of Arbëreshi Foundation of Calabria, with President of the Municipality of San Cosmo Albanese and mayor of the Municipality of Junik in Kosovo. And where better than in Mirdita can Arbëresh, Albania and Kosovo come together. I feel very happy that finally there is a place where we are together. Together, I think, we can do good things. Where there is will and desire, there are always opportunities and these opportunities should always be used for the benefit of the citizens”, said Begaj.

The president congratulated Mayor of Mirdita Albert Melushi for the joint project with the Municipality of Junik, “Mirditë-Junik”, an initiative to create a sustainable tourist infrastructure in the cross-border area, supported by the European Union.

Begaj emphasized that, “There is no better place than Mirdita. In Mirdita, you are in the place of history, in the place of patriotism and in the place of hospitality and generosity. The project called Arbëria, Albania and Italy, within the framework of which the twinning between the two municipalities took place, is a major project. Today, in Mirdita, I want to give way to another initiative for the unification of the values ​​of Albanians wherever they are, for the preservation of our brotherhood, culture and tradition, which I will baptize with the name “Roots”.

According to him, just as we nourish the roots so that the tree grows and bears its fruits, so we will work together to strengthen inter-Albanian ties.

“We must work to strengthen this cooperation, to help each other, to support each other,” said the Head of State.

At the festival that was organized in Mirdita’s “Abat Doçi”’s square, the president wished Christmas to every citizen of Mirdita and Albania.

“It is truly a great pleasure for me to be here today in Mirdita. It is a special pleasure to be here on Christmas Eve and I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. May 2025 be a prosperous year, as happy as possible! I wish peace, kindness, love and much prosperity to each of you! Merry Christmas”, said the president.

Begaj visited then the fair set up in the city square where he met and congratulated Mirdita craftsmen who work to preserve cultural heritage. /p.s./

The municipality of Durrës has a twinning agreement with Zadar.

During the meeting with Mayor Branko Dukić, Sako talked about the continuation of cooperation in areas of common interest, such as tourism, culture or urban development, based on the similarities between the two cities.

Attending the meeting were the ambassador of Albania to Croatia Riza Poda, the MP of Albanian origin in the Croatian Parliament Ermina Lekaj Prljaskaj, the Honorary Consul of Albania in Zadar Anton Dedaj, Head of the Chamber of Commerce of Zadar Denis Ikić, Director of Tourism Iva Bencun, Director of Planning and Infrastructure Darko Kasap, Director of EU funds administration Stefani Mikulec Perković.

“During the discussions with the Croatian side, I presented the city of Durrës with all its touristic and economic potential, as well as focused on the main strategic investments or even the main initiatives in the field of sports, culture and youth”, wrote Sako in the social media.

“Also, we shared our experiences related to implementation of EU projects as well as establishing a partnership with the Municipality of Zadar to apply for new calls in the latest EU funding programs”, she added.

After this meeting, the mayor and the accompanying delegation visited the Old Town of Zadar. /p.s./

Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu expressed her delight at the birth of the twins of the Miftari family.

“Great joy for the Miftari family from Tirana, who were blessed with twins Aria and Arla.

The girls were born healthy and well in the “Queen Geraldine” maternity hospital and have brought the family a bonus of 80,000 new lekë each. “Since the beginning of this government program, 158,535 children have benefited from the baby bonus,” she said.

The “Baby Bonus” is a new social policy that the Albanian government has been pursuing since January 1, 2019 and focuses on support of young families, regardless of their socio-economic status.

The bonus is available to all children registered in Albania, regardless of whether they were born here or abroad.

Parents of newborn children withdraw the baby’s check at the maternity hospital where they are located, performing the immediate registration of the child, avoiding all the delays and red tape that happened before.

For the first child, the bonus is 40,000 Lekë, for the second child 80,000 Lekë and for the third child or more 120,000 Lekë. /j.p/p.s./

The two mayors formalized this journey at the Palazzo di Città. It has already passed through several stages, such as the joint participation in Eurocities or the expectations offered by the Mediterranean Games.

“Tirana is a developing city, thanks also to the commitment of my friend Erion and his team”, Mayor Melucci emphasized.

“We have many things in common, so we want to strengthen even further these ties between Puglia and Albania, with our companies, with our young people, who will perhaps know how to lead us towards a common objective in 2026 and the Games Mediterranean of Taranto. Therefore, we are proud to welcome the mayor of Tirana and to be able to take together with him, a journey that will take us far”, said Melucci.

While the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj said that the fact that thousands of Albanians live in Puglia and vice versa, over 25 thousand Italian nationals have come to the Albanian capital, makes the two cities quite connected.

“I am proud of this relationship. In my city, there are 25 thousand Italians who work and live with us. During 30 years after collapse of communism, we have made great strides. We were almost like the North Korea of ​​Europe and now we are a developing nation and this is also thanks to the support of friendly countries, such as Italy,” said Veliaj.

He added that the agreement that was signed today and the joint twinning of the two cities prove that humanity is the most important bond of all. /j.p/p.s./

Stoica was accompanied by Luan Topçiu, Coordinator of Albanian Cultural Center at the Association of Albanians of Romania.

During the meeting, the interlocutors discussed and presented Pogradec, tourism, historical and cultural heritage as well as a number of projects that the Municipality has and will implement in these areas.

“There was a very productive discussion about the ongoing cooperation or sister-like relations between Pogradec and various municipalities in Romania, in exchange of experiences for the above-mentioned sectors which will come to life very soon,” Xhakolli informed./p.s./