Prime Minister Edi Rama gave welcome to the participants in this summit at the entrance to the Palace, where Commissioner Kos, as well as the leaders of the region, the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and the prime ministers of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia arrived one after the other.

This summit is expected to focus on the Growth Plan, economic integration and the transformation of the region towards the European Union Market.

At the start of the summit, PM Rama will make the opening remarks together with Commissioner Kos.

There will be two discussion panels in the summit: “New initiatives, with benefits for citizens and business” and “Fulfilling joint commitments – Results and acceleration”. There will be launched the Roadmap for the Western Balkans and further on there will be a discussion on the positioning of the region in the EU AI ecosystem, green lanes, cooperation in the field of tourism, on progress and future steps towards the regional common market, etc.

While at the end of the proceedings, Rama and Kos will give a joint press conference. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

The Albanian capital has brought together leaders and heads of state from over 47 countries, including leaders of the EU, NATO and OSCE.

The summit was co-organized by the President of the European Council Antonio Costa and Prime Minister Edi Rama on the topic “New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation – Joint Action” and has been divided into three roundtables with different themes.

The photojournalist of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) Florian Abazaj has caught moments from PM Rama giving welcome to the leaders participating in the VI Summit of the European Political Community. /p.s./

The New Year’s Eve celebration culminated in the capital’s “Skanderbeg” square at 24:00 on the evening of December 31, where thousands of citizens welcomed the New Year.

Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, together with artists and citizens, counted down until the clock struck midnight to welcome the New Year 2025. In his speech, Veliaj congratulated all the capital’s residents and Albanians, wishing them more joy, health, prosperity, more work and “less catching of sb else’s foot and less jealousy”.

A fireworks display illuminated Tirana during the moment of the change of years.

Many have been those who have welcomed the arrival of the New Year in the “Skanderbeg” Square in Tirana, but there has been no less festive atmosphere in other districts of the country, where citizens and their relatives have welcomed 2025 in the city centers.

In Tirana, the celebration began in the evening with the festive New Year’s concert, where famous Albanian music singers, such as Sardi Strugaj and Ardit Çuni, performed. They sang their favorite songs for the Albanian public and foreign tourists who have chosen Tirana to spend the holidays.

Another singer who took to the stage, bringing special emotions and enthusiasm, was Elgit Doda.

After midnight, at 00:10, Xhensila Myrtezaj would continue the celebration with her most beautiful songs, while the famous group Three Dots was scheduled to  perform at 00:40, keeping the audience engaged and enthusiastic.

The music will continue until the early hours of the morning, with DJs who will provide a joyful atmosphere for all those present.

After 24:00, many of those who celebrated with their families have joined the venues where “live” music is played or nightclubs, to celebrate with friends or with their beloved ones.

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency wishes all Albanians wherever they are a vintage and prosperous year. /k.s/r.e/p.s./

The Albanian delegation was welcomed with great honors as the anthems of both countries were played.

After the special welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex, PM Rama and Turkish President Erdoğan will hold a bilateral meeting.

Afterwards, PM Rama and President Erdoğan will chair the high-level cooperation meeting between the two countries, with the participation of some of the ministers of the respective government cabinets. At the beginning of the meeting, PM Rama will deliver a speech.

In the framework of further promotion of cooperation between Türkiye and Albania, there will be signed several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding in the field of environment, defense, media and communication, etc.

At the end of the visit, PM Rama and President Erdoğan will give a joint press conference./p.s./

Blinken is due to arrive in Albania at around 11:00 on a visit that is expected to last until 20:00.

The agenda of Secretary Blinken’s visit carries a meeting and then a press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The meeting and the conference are scheduled for 16:00-19:00.

The focus of this visit is expected to be the future of Albania and the future of the Western Balkans.

Secretary Blinken will also meet with President Bajram Begaj and will also hold a meeting with the youth at the Pyramid./p.s./

Blinken is expected to arrive in Albania at around 11:00 and is expected to stay until 20:00.

Albanian and American flags have been hoisted along the “Martyrs’ of the Nation” boulevard where Blinken will pass.

Meanwhile, on the facade of the Polytechnic Faculty, there is placed a large poster of the top US official carrying the words “Welcome Mr. Blinken”.

The focus of this visit is expected to be the future of Albania and the future of the Western Balkans.

Secretary Blinken will meet with President Bajram Begaj and also with Prime Minister Edi Rama. He will also hold a meeting with young people at the Pyramid./p.s./

“Welcome to Tirana President Clinton! Albania and Albanians are eternally grateful to you for everything you have done for our nation and for Kosovo in particular,” President Begaj.

“Your decision and leadership in the most pivotal moments for the future of Kosovo have placed you on the pedestal of our dearest friends. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Begaj added in his welcome message.

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“Mrizi i Zanave” in the village of Fishta in Lezha, has become since a long time one of the most popular guesthouses in the country, welcoming local and foreign tourists, representing a true example of success in agri-tourism.

Entrepreneur Altin Prenga was among the first to receive the agri-tourism certificate.

Year after year, he has made investments adding and enriching not only the menu of the restaurant, but also the construction of rooms for the accommodation of tourists.

This tourist season is expected to be very good, since the visitor figures in the first months of the year speak of an increase in number of tourists./r.e/p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave welcome to Erdogan with an official ceremony at the “Mother Teresa” International Airport in Rinas.

After playing of the national anthems of the two countries by the National Guard band, PM Rama and President Erdogan walked on the red carpet in front of the respective delegations.

According to the agenda of the visit, President of the Republic of Turkey will visit one of the houses rebuilt after the November 26 earthquake in Laç. There will also be organized the handover ceremony of the houses built after the earthquake as well as the naming ceremony of the square in Laç after the President of the Republic of Turkey.

Later on, Erdoğan will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama to be followed by the signing of several joint agreements and a joint press conference.

In the afternoon, there will be the inauguration event of the Et’hem Bey Mosque and then President of the Republic of Turkey will address the Albanian Parliament./k.s/j.p/p.s./