At a press conference, Senior Official Skënder Hita stated that, following an analysis of issues from previous years and coordination with the Ministry of Education, there have been assigned specific tasks to police units to guarantee a safe environment for the educational process.

According to Hita, police station chiefs will oversee the services dedicated to school safety, bearing direct responsibility for their organization, coordination, and supervision.

Special attention will also be paid to road safety in the vicinity of schools. Hita confirmed that there will be an increased police presence during student movements at the start and end of the school day, as well as during the long break.

As part of the preventive measures, units specializing in community policing, domestic violence, cybercrime and traffic safety will conduct awareness-raising sessions in schools. Topics will include bullying, psychological abuse, online risks, road safety, and the use of narcotics, alcohol, and tobacco.

Hita also emphasized the importance of collaborating with school security officers, teachers, psychologists, school administrators, parent boards and student councils, identifying them as key points of contact for the timely identification and resolution of issues.

A new feature this year is the expanded use of technology to enhance safety. As part of the “Smart City” project, there have been installed smart cameras in the first 20 schools; according to the State Police, these will enhance capabilities for monitoring and preventing situations that could compromise safety. /p.s./

In his message of congratulations to Albanians on occasion of the New Year, Begaj stated that, “This is an occasion for reflection, the moment when we stop to see what we left behind and to project our hopes for the new year”.

“This is, above all, the celebration of the family. The values ​​that grow within it are precisely those that give strength and stability to our entire society. Showing care for the new generation is not just a feeling, but a wise choice for the future. Investing in our children and young people is the cornerstone of the European Albania that we aspire to”, said Begaj.

According to him, Albanians have shown that knowledge, dedication and honest work are our greatest strength.

“We have witnessed achievements. Behind every success, there is family work and sacrifice that prove that the future is not built with big words, but with deeds. Your honest work, your commitment and success strengthen faith and hope in the future”, said Begaj.

The year that is ending, according to the President, was a year of efforts and challenges, where Albania once again demonstrated the will to move forward.

“We still have work to do to narrow inequalities and build more trust in institutions. We strengthened our international role and took concrete steps towards the European Union. We have made progress in strengthening the rule of law, in the fight against corruption and organized crime and in the independence of the justice system”, he added.

“National interest and dialogue must guide our actions to build a fairer and more prosperous society, because what unites us is stronger than any interest that divides us,” the president added.

On the eve of New Year 2026, the president wished for cooperation and coordination around nationwide goals and interests.

“My warmest greetings and best wishes today to Albanians everywhere in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, the Preshevo Valley, Arbëresh and our Diaspora! You are an inseparable part of this nation and carry vital energy for our common future.

Above all, Begaj wished for more trust in each other and more understanding.

“Albania is our common home, our daily responsibility and the future that we build together! I wish you from the bottom of my heart: Happy New Year 2026! May God bless Albania and all Albanians! May God bless you and your families!”, wished the President. /m.m/j.p/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./

Head of the Center Alda Bardhyli received today Maria, the daughter of the great poet and talked on the extraordinary efforts done to collect the letters of the poet with the distinguished personalities of the time like Skënder Luarasi, Gjergj Bubani, Mitrush Kuteli, Eqrem Çabej, etc.

These letters, part of Poradeci archive, will come out soon in a special book published under the auspices of Maria and with the support of the Center.

“Time puts everything in its place. Big things take a long time to validate. A long time is that time which embeds, makes a monument of the values of our national culture”, writes Lasgushi in a letter addressed to Mitrush Kuteli, an expression which Maria reminded, during the conversation with the director of the Center./p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama wrote today in the social media that 1500 black pine saplings were planted in Mat, while it is planned that another 5 hectares will be afforested.

“We continue with afforestation process under coordination of the National Forestry Agency and with the commitment of the municipalities that every day is part of the Year of Forests calendar. Thus, 1500 black pine saplings were planted in Muzhaka of Mat, a municipality that will afforest another 5 hectares”, wrote Rama.

Almost 2/3 of the country’s territory is forests and pastures and 80% of them are owned by municipalities.

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has announced 2024 as a year of afforestation campaigns, but also education and awareness for citizens.

Earlier, the year 2022 was dedicated to cleaning and environment, while 2023 was the year dedicated to the Vjosa River, with the creation of the National Park of the last wild river in Europe./p.s./

During the speech he delivered at the event to mark this occasion, Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj said that he feels happy for everything Tirana achieved in a year of success in the field of sports.Veliaj said that, “We have managed to introduce sports culture in every family”.

Veliaj said that he is looking forward to 2025 when Tirana will be the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue.

“Today, here there are several mayors from all over the Balkans. There are the mayors of Sofia, Sarajevo, Podgorica, colleagues from Skopje, from Kosovo, and I can’t wait for Tirana to turn B 40 into a success story. Next year, Tirana will be the “Mediterranean Capital of Culture”, said Veliaj.

On his part, President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee Fidel Ylli thanked the Municipality of Tirana for the excellent work and he said that Mayor Veliaj has been an engine for the revival of the Olympic movement, not only in Tirana, but throughout Albania.

“The Municipality of Tirana has also paid special attention to the elite athletes, where 100% of the Olympic delegations that will go to Paris 2024 are people who have been employed by the Municipality of Tirana; they are rewarded by the mayor of the Municipality of Tirana and I want to express special thanks”, said Ylli.

In the end, Mayor Veliaj passed the baton of the city of sports to Prishtina and Vlora, two Albanian cities that will hold the title of “European City of Sports” this year.

“We are lucky to have now someone to learn from”, said Mayor of Prishtina Përparim Rama.

While Mayor of Vlora Ermal Dredha said: “Thank you Erion. I feel very privileged to receive the baton from the capital of our country, from Tirana. Because I take with me a valuable experience, which will serve us to make a year full of sports events in the city of Vlora”./p.s./

Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu made the statement during a meeting held at the Academy of Sciences with researchers of the Albanian language from the Institute of Language and Literature and members of the permanent Committee of Linguistics and Literature at the Academy of Sciences.

“This year, we will intensify our efforts to preserve, protect and promote the Albanian language, not only in Albania but also around the world, with a special emphasis on the valued contribution of the Albanian Diaspora. The Ministry is committed to intensifying efforts to strengthen the teaching of the Albanian language, starting from preschool to university level. In this context, we request the support and close cooperation of the Academy of Sciences with educational institutions, engaging Albanian language researchers to contribute to this common mission. A new action plan is needed, which aims not only to increase the knowledge and vocabulary of the users of the Albanian language, but also to strengthen the role of teachers in this regard”, said Minister Ogerta Manastirliu, among other things, in the conversation with language academics.

On his part, the Chairman of the Academy of Sciences Skënder Gjinushi said that we should all together use this year to recover all the problems related to the language and to establish the best possible institutional cooperation between the four components: the Institutes, the Academy, Higher schools and the Ministry to guarantee that the Albanian language is at the highest standards.

“The announcement of 2024 as the year of the Albanian language is an additional reason to increase attention to it and to undertake new scientific initiatives, which, from our side, are added to the three major projects in Albanology: “The Big Dictionary of Albanian” , which is in the closing year; “History of the Albanians”, which has been submitted for editing; and the “Albanian Encyclopedia”, which is already in the working phase. More than 200 researchers (only from Albania and without the collaborators) are involved in these three projects, in the editorial office and as co-authors”, said acad. Gjinushi

At the end of the meeting, Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu invited the academics to join and contribute to the initiatives that the Ministry of Education has already taken, such as; the National Albanian Language Competition in schools, the National Professional Development Program for teachers, as well as in the modernization of the curriculum framework and the reevaluation of existing programs./p.s./

Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro shared today in the social media images from the valley of Gashi and Rrajca.

“The oxygen-filled landscapes of the old beech forests in the Gashi valley and in Rrajca, part of the World Heritage by UNESCO, an inspiration to create other rare forest assets in the Year of Forests as we have declared 2024”, wrote Kumbaro.

Albania is blessed with wonderful nature. Natural resources have not only been preserved and developed, but have also become part of the world’s natural heritage.

The Year of Forests as announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the Government of Albania is a year of afforestation campaigns, but also education and awareness for citizens. Earlier, the year 2022 was dedicated to cleaning and the environment, while the year 2023 was the year dedicated to the Vjosa River, with the creation of the National Park of the last wild river in Europe./k.s/p.s./

PM Rama shared in the social media a promotional video showing the touristic areas of Albania from the south to the north.

“May you have a happy day with tourist Albania that is ready to be discovered throughout 2024 with all its graces: from the steep mountains overlooking the turquoise waters of the seas, the ancient cities, the traditions and the beautiful experiences of all travelers from a country that touches their soul”, wrote Rama.

While in the published video it is emphasized that, “Albania is located in the heart of the Mediterranean where the ancient mountains meet the blue waves. Last year, 10 million people discovered our hidden treasure. Now, in 2024, the magic goes on. Travel through ancient cities, discover the rich Alps and immerse yourself in the variety of local traditions. Happy holidays in Albania where every dawn is a promise and every sunset a celebration. Join us in 2024 while every moment is an invitation to create memories. Until then, let the wind carry your dreams to our shores.”

10,011,500 foreign tourists entered our country in 2023 until the evening of December 25.

Due to the long coastline, Albania offers several beaches, from the north to the south, such as in Velipoja in Shkodra, in Shengjin in Lezha, in Durrës, Vlora, Himara, Saranda, etc., these beaches are frequented not only by Albanians, but also by foreign citizens, who choose Albania as a tourist destination during the summer months. Also, Gjirokastra, Berati, Butrinti, Kruja, Tirana, Shkodra, etc., are popular destinations for historical and cultural tourism.

Also, our country has conditions for year-round tourism, due to the relief, which offers opportunities for tourism from the south to the north. The tourist villages of the north of the country have recently seen a high number of tourists, while there is work on development of the infrastructure for adventure tourism.

Albania also has many rivers, lagoons and national parks, which attract tourists from all over the world./k.s/p.s./

Speaking at the Extended Assembly of the Socialist Party in Pogradec, Rama said that, “We are set to increase much more the country’s capacities in technology”.

“I’m talking about digitization, about all the technological systems that enable fast services and a high transparency of state affairs and definitely reduce abuse, bribery and corruption and even the loss time because of bureaucracy”, he said.

Rama also spoke about the e-Albania platform highlighting that it will be developed through the artificial intelligence.

“Now, very soon you will have the E-Albania in another form. It will be similar to writing and receiving messages and you will be able to communicate with e-Albania in real time through a new system that we are developing and then I believe, within the second half of next year, you will have e-Albania in your pocket with voice and image through the artificial intelligence”, continued Rama.

According to Rama, this will completely eliminates the brokers, the need for cousins or in-laws as well as the endless time spent in dealing with offices./p.s./