At the event for the launch of the Report of the Institute for War Crimes in Kosovo, Kurti said that only during the period March-June 1999, there were killed about 9 thousand people.

“Without a record, there is no memory, no justice, and no lasting peace,” Kurti said.

He stressed that the list is preliminary and will continue to be supplemented with new evidence.

The acting prime minister also took the opportunity to point at Serbia for, as he put it, the failure to implement the Declaration on Missing Persons agreed on May 2, 2023 in Brussels and the refusal to open military archives. /KosovaPress/p.s./

Himara Municipality Mayor Vangjel Tavo reported that divers safely removed unexploded World War II shells from the seabed in Porto-Palermo. The remnants had rested at the bottom of the sea near tourist anchorages for more than 80 years.

Tavo stated that despite resting at considerable depths for over 80 years, the shells remain highly volatile. Once recovered, army experts transported them to a secure site for a controlled detonation.

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During the presentation event of the employment platform in the administration, Rama informed that over 2,000 new enterprises have been established nationwide in the past two months alone.

Also, the head of the government also emphasized that if there is increasing corruption there cannot be an increase in pensions.

According to him, “This does not mean that there is no corruption, but this is a process of transformation”.

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In a joint conference with her Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis, Spiropali stated that, “Even from today’s meetings, I have more and more the conviction that this potential for friendship creates the proper opportunity to address all the so-called remaining issues, as well as the current ones, in order to open a new chapter as soon as possible, finally seeing our past with the eyes of a common future.”

“In this regard, we must promote communication between our societies, academic environments, interest groups, professional organizations, students,” said Spiropali.

“As NATO partners, bound by a Treaty of Friendship and with a shared European perspective, Albania supports the early termination of any atavistic legal reference from World War II, with consequences in current relations, which does not reflect the reality of our relations as allies and friends,” she said.

Spiropali thanked Minister Gerapetritis for his leadership and vision to build a relationship with an eye on the future.

“This step would further strengthen our cooperation and our common European vision,” Spiropali said.

Regarding the issue of the properties of Albanian citizens and entities in Greece, Spiropali called for a gradual and realistic approach from both sides, in accordance with the relevant legal framework and the European spirit.

“The historical legal and property aspects of Albanian citizens and entities in Greece were openly addressed within the framework of constructive dialogue and bilateral cooperation,” the minister said.

“Both parties highlighted the significance of a gradual and realistic approach, in accordance with the relevant legal framework and the European spirit, with the aim of strengthening mutual trust and further developing friendly relations between our two countries”, said Spiropali.

Regarding border issues, Spiropali said that the parties are fully open to constructive dialogue.

“Albania also remains committed to resolving border-related issues (including the delimitation of maritime spaces) in accordance with international law and the principles of good neighborly relations, where the parties are fully open to constructive dialogue. We will continue to be guided by the core values ​​of the EU, by respect for the norms of international law for the peaceful resolution of disputes and the promotion of stability in the region”, said the minister.

FM Spiropali is holding a two-day official visit to Greece. /gj.m/j.p/r.e/p.s./

The joint statement was signed by Head of the Albanian Muslim community Bujar Spahiu, Archbishop Joani, Gjergj Meta representing the Catholic Church, Head of the Bektashis, Father Edmond Brahimaj and from the evangelical churches, Pastor Ergest Biti.

The statement reads that the Interreligious Council of Albania has closely followed over the years every national and international concern on violation of social peace and social coexistence.

“The religious communities in Albania join the international calls of the organization Religions for Peace Europe, the recent call of the Latin and Orthodox Patriarchates of Jerusalem, the call of 80 Orthodox rabbis from around the world, Islamic and Christian communities from around the world, the UN and other international institutions, where with their appeal, they express their deep concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, demanding an immediate end to the war and the release of all hostages,” the statement reads.

The Council calls for an end to violence and guarantees the protection of lives of innocent civilians, especially women and children, who are the greatest victims of this conflict. The forced displacement of the population, the obstruction of humanitarian aid and the destruction of basic infrastructure cannot be justified in any way and constitute a grave violation of human dignity.

In the spirit of inter-religions solidarity and the moral responsibility that religion carries, the Inter-religious Council of Albania reaffirms that lasting peace can only be built on justice, mercy and mutual respect.

Albanian religious leaders call on world leaders, international institutions and all people of goodwill to step up efforts to end the conflict, to immediately provide the necessary humanitarian assistance and to pave the way for a just and lasting peace in and around the Holy Land. /p.s./

The cooperation aims to preserve and promote historical memory, as well as to encourage scientific studies and documentary publications that shed light on the war period in Kosovo and the contribution of Albanian diplomacy.

This step is an important recognition of the tireless work of Albanian diplomats during the war in Kosovo, who gave Albania and Kosovo a strong voice in international forums.

The Foreign Ministry said that, “Through this agreement, we ensure that the precious documents that reflect the extraordinary efforts of Albanian diplomacy are available to researchers and future generations, helping to preserve truth and justice.”

“By being committed to help document and analyze this important chapter of our history, we are opening new opportunities for scientific research and joint activities that will bring us closer to the truths of our national history,” the Foreign Ministry underlined. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

The conference was organized in cooperation with the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo.

Chairman of the Academy of Sciences, Acad. Skënder Gjinushi expressed his congratulations to the attendees on the 80th anniversary of Liberation of the country and thanked the organizers of the conference and the participants from Kosovo, North Macedonia, from the Military Academy and the Police Academy, etc.

He emphasized that the approach to the role of Albanians during the Second World War in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, one of the greatest and most tragic events of humanity, is not simply about the attitude towards a historical period, but about the appreciation of one of the most valuable features of a people, that of anti-fascism, a fundamental feature of the peoples today, in the democratic world.

Then, Prof. Dr. Paskal Milo delivered his speech on, “Antifascist Albania on the right side of history in the Second World War”. He emphasized that the Antifascist National Liberation War and the alignment with the Great Allies of the United Nations strengthened Albania’s international position and saved it from several attempts made after the war to violate its territorial integrity and interfere in its internal affairs.

On his part, the Italian scholar, Prof. Alberto Basciani, spoke about the figure of General Pariani and the end of Italian rule in Albania (March – September 1943).

While Acad. Pëllumb Xhufi delivered the speech “Collaborationism in the Second World War: the Albanian case”. After describing the allied and opposing forces that participated in the war, he emphasized that numerous documents of the Italian and German occupiers, of the Anglo-American allied missions, of the quisling governments and of the National Front and Legality Movement organizations clearly prove that the slogan of the so-called “ethnic Albania” that they used during the years of the war to justify their collaborationism was simply propaganda. In fact, they did not fail to initiate agreements with neighboring anti-Albanian circles for the inclusion of Albania, without Kosovo and Chameria, as a federal unit within the framework of the Yugoslav or Greek state.

Also speaking at the conference were Dr. Roderick Bailey from the University of Oxford, Prof. Dr. Et’hem Çeku, Prof. Dr. Sonila Boçi, Acad. Hamit Kaba, Acad. Vasil S. Tole, Prof. Dr. Bujar Dugolli, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marenglen Kasmi, Prof. Dr. Irakli Koçollari, etc.

During this conference, through scientific papers, it became clear that the Albanians chose the most correct path to regain their freedom and independence, through anti-fascist resistance and the liberation war against the fascist occupying states.

Albanians for the first time with their war imposed themselves as an international subject and factor and did not allow themselves to be treated as before in the backstage of the politics and diplomacy of the Great Powers that decided their fate and that of Albania without asking them and by trampling on them. The Anti-Fascist National Liberation War and the alignment with the Great Allies of the United Nations strengthened the international position of Albania and saved it from several attempts that were made after the War to violate its territorial integrity and interfere in its internal affairs. /r.e/a.f/p.s./

“Today marks the 1000th day after the Russian aggression on Ukraine, a devastating attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a stamen on the social media platform X.

“On these 1.000 days, Ukraine has shown resilience and unwavering determination to defend its land and people,” the Ministry added, stating that Albania stands firm in its commitment and solidarity with Ukraine.

“War goes on and Albania stands firm in its solidarity with Ukraine and the fight for freedom, peace and justice,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded.

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Directorate of Tourism, Heritage and Sports in the municipality of Gjirokastra said to ATA that, “From January to the end of September, there was a high flow of local and foreign visitors who showed interest in this museum located in the concrete shelter built in the early 70s”.

“During the period January 1 – September 30, 2024, 53,638 tourists visited this museum. The highest percentage are foreign tourists such as Spanish, Italian, French, Belgian, Dutch, etc.”, said the Directorate of Tourism and Sports in the municipality.

As it is located near the characteristic Bazaar, which is also the area most visited by tourists, the Cold War Museum has enriched and made the trip of tourists visiting Gjirokastra more attractive.

Tourists are attracted by the history of the former military shelter built during the Cold War period, as well as the way the museum was built and the authentic objects inside it.

During their visits to the museum, the visitors can take photos in the museum premises.

One of the venues where tourists show more interest is the conference hall, which was used to organize meetings of the time as well as to discuss the objectives of the state.

The tunnel where the museum is located is about 800 meters long. The tunnel would serve to accommodate the former local communist leadership of those years in case of an eventual attack from outside. The shelter consists of 80 rooms, meeting rooms, work and rest areas, and part of it is also a warehouse for the supply of drinking water, the power plant, etc. /k.s/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Peleshi said that our condolences go to the innocent people who lost their lives and tens of others wounded during the strikes.

Peleshi emphasized that Albania stands by the heroic Ukraine in its war against Russia.

“We strongly condemn the routine strike of Russia in Odesa. We express our condolences and solidarity with the innocent people who lost their lives and tens of others injured during the strikes. During these hard times, Albania stands by the heroic Ukraine”, wrote Peleshi in his reaction in the social media.

The recent Russian missile attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa killed at least 20 people and left more than 70 wounded, local authorities said./p.s./