Albania: News, Politics & Issues

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  • Dimko-piperkata
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2008
    • 1876

    Albania: News, Politics & Issues

    TIRANA, Albania (AP) — A political crisis escalated in Albania on Saturday as the government and the opposition traded blame for the deaths of three protests during a violent demonstration against an administration accused of deeply rooted corruption.

    The Prosecutor General's office said arrest warrants had been issued for six officers of the National Guard, army troops under Interior Ministry command who guard government institutions and senior officials.

    Tensions have been mounting for months between Albania's conservative government and the main opposition Socialist Party. They rose sharply last week when Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta resigned after a private TV station aired a video that it said showed him asking a colleague to influence the awarding of a contract to build a power station.

    On Friday night, protesters overturned and burned police vehicles Friday night and clashed with officers who fought them off with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. Two men were fatally shot in the chest and another died of a wound to the head.

    The United States and the European Union have both appealed for calm.

    Prime Minister Sali Berisha said at a press conference the men had been killed by "bandits" within the protesters and accused the leader of the main opposition Socialist Party of attempting a coup.

    "I am here today to tell that you were the one who organized the anti-constitutional putsch ... for which you will have to face the consequences of the law," Berisha said.

    He charged that the demonstrators included "gangs of criminals, bandits, traffickers and terrorists" trying to overthrow the government with a "Tunisian-style" demonstration — referring to the rioting that drove out Tunisia's president this month.

    Socialist Party leader Edi Rama accused Berisha of being the "political orchestrator" of the deaths and he called for the arrest of Interior Minister Lulzim Basha.

    In addition to fueling outrage over corruption, the Socialists have accused Berisha's Democratic Party of rigging Albania's 2009 election, in which it was declared the winner by a narrow margin. The next election is scheduled in 2013, but the opposition has been calling for months for new polls to be held sooner.

    The demonstration in the center of Albania's capital, Tirana, began with about 20,000 people, but organizers claimed it swelled to up to 300,000. Police did not give any figures. The protest quickly turned violent, with people pelting police with banners, umbrellas, eggs and stones.

    Police said 113 people were arrested on charges of violence against police and for destroying their vehicles.

    The Socialists vowed to continue the anti-government protests, but said they would not hold any demonstrations on Saturday, when the three people killed were to be buried.

    Scores of people led by Socialist leaders laid flowers and lit candleswhere two people were killed.

    Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries. For nearly 50 years, the mountainous country of 3.2 million people was ruled by xenophobic Communists who banned contact with the outside world. That regime was toppled in a student-led revolt in 1990.

    The nation descended into chaos seven years later following the collapse of popular investment schemes, requiring an international military mission to restore order.

    Albania is now a NATO member and seeks to join the 27-nation EU, but corruption is widespread and unemployment is high.


    YouTube - Video of angry riots in Albania: Cars torched, cops stoned, 3 dead

    it startet in Tunisia swashed to Algeria and now in Albania...something strange is going on....
    1) Macedonians belong to the "older" Mediterranean substratum...
    2) Macedonians are not related with geographically close Greeks, who do not belong to the "older" Mediterranenan substratum...
  • makedonin
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2008
    • 1668

    #2
    If this escalate into a real conflict similar to that from 1997, than it is time to stay highly alert on the border of Macedonia with Albania and Kosovo. The 1997 political unrest and inner conflicts in Albania were used to smuggle large amount of guns into Kosovo which brought the 1998 war in Kosovo.
    Last edited by makedonin; 01-22-2011, 12:00 PM.
    To enquire after the impression behind an idea is the way to remove disputes concerning nature and reality.

    Comment

    • Soldier of Macedon
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2008
      • 13669

      #3
      Albania: News, Politics & Issues

      Ahead of elections due in June, opposition supporters have started an ongoing protest in a tent in front of the Prime Minister's office, boycotting parliament and pressing their demand for the formation of a technical government to supervise the elections.

      Albanian Opposition Erect Tent to Press Election Demands

      20 FEB 17

      Ahead of elections due in June, opposition supporters have started an ongoing protest in a tent in front of the Prime Minister's office, boycotting parliament and pressing their demand for the formation of a technical government to supervise the elections. Albania's main opposition parties led by the Democratic Party demanded the formation of a technical government that would then ensure a new free and fair election on June 18. In the meantime, the Democrats announced a complete boycott of parliament until their demand is fulfilled. Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha, while commemorating the 26th anniversary of the mass protests that toppled Albania's communist dictatorship, said they would continue their protest indefinitely.

      "We are here to continue the path toward modern democracy that was opened 26 years ago by the Albanian people. We are here today to tell Edi Rama to go. We want a technical government that will bring free and fair elections," Basha said on Monday. Following a major anti-government protest on Saturday, the opposition has started an ongoing protest, erecting a big tent in the main boulevard of Tirana in front of the Prime Minister's office, vowing not to vacate the tent until Edi Rama has resigned. Inside the tent, opposition representatives passed the time on Monday by listening to political speeches, singing and playing cards and chess. On Sunday, during his weekly online conversation with citizens on Facebook, Rama said that he would resign in time but only in order to seek another term in government.

      "I respect everybody who has participated in the protest and who didn't vote for us but we cannot take a single step back when it comes to our duty of building a modern state in the fulfillment of the mandate that we got from the citizens ... [and] we are going to ask to them for another mandate," Rama said. He also said that while the ruling centre-left parties were dedicated to organizing a free and fair election, it was the opposition parties that boycotted parliament's ad hoc commission on electoral reform some weeks ago. Rama said he also considered the protest an attempt by the opposition to block the important judicial reform process and so save their favourite judges and prosecutors from the vetting process. Representatives of the opposition have also asked the junior party in Rama's government, the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, to abandon the coalition and to support the demand for a technical government.
      The main opposition Democratic Party and its allies have refused to register to take part in the June 18 general election - after the deadline to register expired on Monday.

      Albania Opposition Parties to Boycott June Elections

      11 APR 17

      The main opposition Democratic Party and its allies have refused to register to take part in the June 18 general election - after the deadline to register expired on Monday. Opposition parties in Albania led by Democratic Party will not be participating in the June 18 election unless their demands for Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama to step down and for the formation of a new interim government are met. On Monday, the Central Commission for the Election, KQZ, announced that the deadline for political parties to register as participants in the election had expired. April 10 was set as the deadline to register in accordance with article 64 of the electoral code. "Every political party must deliver a request to register as an electoral subject to the KQZ no later than 70 days before the date of the election," it reads.

      The Democrats' leader, Lulzim Basha on Sunday said none of the main political parties in opposition would register for the election. "The opposition is not going to register for elections that are going to be a facade. We are not going to have election dictated by crime. These are the last moments of the old republic, soon it will be history," Basha told his followers gathered in a tent that the opposition has erected as part of an ongoing street protest. On Monday, the joint opposition said they would also boycott the local elections to be held in Kavaja municipality on May 7, after the former mayor, Elvis Roshi, was dismissed after it was found that he had hidden his criminal past convictions. "The decision of the joint opposition is to have a big national protest in Kavaje on May 7, to make these farcical elections dictated by crime impossible through a democratic and peaceful protest," Basha said. Prime Minister Rama on Sunday - in his weekly communication from his live streaming channel in Facebook - said the opposition was using the election boycott to keep the country in crisis and away from the path towards EU integration. "Nobody can have any illusion that the Albanians are going to be impeded from choosing their future on June 18," Rama said.

      Clirim Gjata, a former chairman of KQZ and an expert on elections, told BIRN that things would be legally complicated if the opposition parties did not register by the Monday deadline. "The electoral code is clear; if you do not register 70 days as a party before elections, you practically will not be able to participate in the elections, even as a part of a coalition," he said. "This crisis requires compromise, since going into an election only with parties of the majority doesn't seem like a good option," he continued. Gjata said postponing the election was the best idea. "If they reach a compromise on postponing the date of the election, then, as a result, other deadlines foreseen in the electoral code are postponed," Gjata explained. He recalled a precedent for this, when he was heading the KQZ, in 2007, when the local elections scheduled for January were conducted in February instead, after the then Socialist opposition demanded more administrative security. By Monday, a total of 32 parties had registered with the KQZ to participate in June 18 elections.

      Albanian split deepens as Socialists force through election of president

      28 APR 17

      Albania's Socialist party used its majority in parliament to force through the election of a new president of the Balkan country on Friday, leaving its politics polarized as the opposition maintains a two-month-old boycott. The new president, Ilir Meta, has twice served briefly as a Socialist prime minister before forming a breakaway party that for the past eight years has alternately played kingmaker to both main parties. The opposition Democratic Party and its allies accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of being a hypocrite for handing the presidency to a man he once accused of being "the symbol of everything rotten happening in Albania". Meta, 48, said it was the opposition boycott that prompted him to accept the role. "We should try to find consensus so that Albania does not become like Macedonia," he said referring to protesters' violent storming of parliament in the neighboring country late on Thursday.

      The constitution calls for Albania's president to be elected by parliament with three-fifths of the vote. Meta got the votes of 87 lawmakers, and two against, surpassing the target by two. The opposition, whose absence from parliament is stalling a reform of the judiciary that would help Albania start accession talks with the European Union, is demanding the formation of a new technocratic government of experts. It says the current one is corrupt and has rigged recent local elections. Camped out in a tent near the government building, opposition lawmakers are also threatening to protest at a mayoral election in the central town of Kavaje on May 7, and to boycott parliamentary elections on June 18. Meta and Rama have had an uneasy time governing since they won a landslide victory in June 2013, with Meta's party at times acting as a harsh critic of the government's work.

      Analyst Blendi Fevziu said Meta wanted the presidency to try to mould an image as a unifying figure in the divided NATO member state. "Rama managed to get Meta, his main rival for the premier's job, out of the active political scene for the next five years. He has now only one rival, the Democratic Party leader," Fevziu wrote. As a deputy premier under former prime minister Sali Berisha, Meta resigned and was cleared of corruption charges by the Supreme Court after one of his own ministers accused him of interfering in a tender and a concession with offers of bribes. Four Socialist Party supporters were shot and killed by security forces after a protest staged by Rama against Meta's alleged corruption and election violations turned violent in January 2011.
      https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2...-18-elections/

      Hahn’s letter to Albanian citizens on political crisis and June 18 elections

      12 MAY 17

      BRUSSELS - Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, addressed, in an open letter, to Albanian citizens. European Western Balkans republish this letter in full:

      Dear citizens of Albania, dear friends, It is with great concern that I address you today. In the course of the past few weeks, several attempts have been made to promote dialogue amongst political parties in Albania, by representatives from the EU, including myself, and by other international partners. We have carefully listened to concerns and expectations from all sides, while trying to facilitate a solution of the ongoing crisis. A number of options were offered, with the hope that parties and leaders live up to their responsibility to find a joint solution. Unfortunately, this was not the case. So today, we are in a situation where the electoral process for the general elections on 18 June has been set in motion. The elections will take place without the participation of the main opposition parties. It was the deliberate choice by the current opposition not to run for elections. I have to respect, but at the same time deeply regret this decision from a democratic point of view. Albanians request and deserve elections that provide a broad political offer and uphold electoral standards. However, the democratic process must continue, even if some decide to stay behind.

      Democracy and democratic standards shall not be held back by boycotting institutions and democratic elections. The elections will be assessed on their own merit, based on international standards. The most competent European institution for observing elections – ODIHR – has recently launched its election observations activities in Albania. We do not only strongly support ODIHR – we also expect that all relevant institutions in Albania will provide full cooperation and transparency to their mission, both during the weeks ahead of the election and on the Election Day itself. It is in the interest of Albania and its authorities that OSCE/ODIHR and other international observers will be able to perform at best their crucial role and assessment of the elections. Therefore, let me also be clear on one thing: I strongly condemn any announcements to call for “actions” that would undermine each citizen’s right to vote and other fundamental freedoms. Such “actions” cannot be justified and are not compatible with European Union standards. On the contrary, it is a fundamental European value that political ideas and proposals – no matter whether you like them or not – are being discussed within the democratic institutions, notably the Albanian parliament. This has been stressed in all the meetings with the political leaders of your country, from all sides. In this regard let me also say one thing. The fact that the by-elections in Kavaja could not take place is not a victory for anyone. It is a clear loss for democracy.

      Dear citizens, I have full confidence that the people of Albania will demand from their political leaders to demonstrate the restraint and democratic maturity expected in a country that aspires to be a Member of the EU. Let’s be clear: Leaders will be held accountable if they try to derail the legitimate aspirations of the Albanian people for a better future. The EU will follow and monitor closely the electoral process. And even more fundamentally: we will continue supporting you on the path towards EU membership.

      Johannes Hahn

      Albania opposition rally hit with unknown eye, face irritant, 76 seek medical attention

      28 MAY 17

      More than 70 people have sought medical attention after suffering eye and skin irritation following their attendance of the opening electoral campaign rally of Albania’s main opposition Democratic Party. Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha was among those seeking medical attention early Sunday morning. Albania’s Ministry of Health released a statement saying patients showed “signs of poisoning such as eye rashes, eye burns, irritation of the skin in exposed areas of the face and neck, as well as in special cases, even light breathing difficulties.” The Ministry of Health said it is working to identify cases in regional hospitals, adding 76 patients had shown up at the Tirana hospitals, of which nine were admitted under observation specialists.

      No life-threatening injuries have been reported. People affected told local media they were unable to see clearly following “a white powder” being thrown in the air near the opposition leader during the rally. The Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate are working on the full investigation of the event, the official statement added.
      In the name of the blood and the sun, the dagger and the gun, Christ protect this soldier, a lion and a Macedonian.

      Comment

      • Albo
        Member
        • May 2014
        • 304

        #4
        Didn't even know this thread existed... I'll see what I can post on here.. or if anyone has any questions I'll try and reply...

        ==================

        House of leaves: Albanian secret service facility opens as a museum

        An unassuming villa in the centre of Tirana, the building known as the House of Leaves, used to be home to Albania's communist-era secret service, the Sigurimi. Now the facility has been transformed into a museum of secret surveillance, offering insight into a dark period of Albanian history.

        “This museum is dedicated to those innocent people who were spied on, arrested, prosecuted, convicted and executed during the communist regime,” reads a sign at the entrance to the museum, which housed the Gestapo during Albania's occupation in the Second World War*(1943 —*44) and was later used as the Sigurimi's interception headquarters until the collapse of the communist regime in 1991.

        Now visitors can traverse the museum's 31 rooms to discover the equipment and techniques used by the Sigurimi to spy on and gain information about suspects. At the centre of things lies a huge collection of surprisingly advanced monitoring equipment, belying Albania's poor financial situation and isolation at the time.

        According to a report by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), many of the bugs on display were made by members of the Sigurimi themselves.

        “I'm proud to say that in 1975 we developed our own bugs. I made them with my own hands and they were really light and good quality,” former lead engineer of the Operative Technical Department, Nesti Vako, told BIRN.

        Along with viewing the bugs, visitors can also enter rooms used for wiretapping telephones, the darkroom used to develop films, as well as a number of laboratories.

        “It is very important that neither Albanians nor Europe forgets the drama we went through. Remembrance is an unavoidable step to building the future,” said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the opening ceremony this week, drawing comparisons between the museum and Bunk'art, a Cold War-era bunker just outside Tirana which opened to the public in 2015. Mr Rama described both the sites as “treasure[s] of collective memory”.

        Comment

        • Soldier of Macedon
          Senior Member
          • Sep 2008
          • 13669

          #5


          Albania renews visa-free travel scheme for Saudis

          5 June 17

          RIYADH: Albania has renewed a visa-free travel scheme for nationals of three Gulf countries in a bid to boost the number of tourists from the region. “Citizens of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar can enter Albania without a visa,” said Albanian Ambassador Sami Shiba in Riyadh on Sunday. The initiative follows similar schemes in previous years, under which Saudis and citizens of some other Gulf countries were allowed to travel to the country without visas during the summer season. Shiba said that the visa-free regime would boost tourism and business traffic between the Kingdom and Albania, a small country in southeastern Europe. “The scheme will allow nationals of the three Gulf countries to enter Albania without visa from May 31 to Nov. 15, 2017,” said the diplomat. Shiba said there was an ever-increasing number of Gulf tourists choosing to travel to Albania. He pointed out that about 4.7 million tourists visited the capital city Tirana and other Albanian destinations during 2016. “Gulf nationals including Saudis represent about 25 percent of the above number,” said the envoy, adding that the natural beauty, geographical position and enjoyable Mediterranean climate makes Albania a special place to visit. On a bilateral level, Riyadh and Tirana have reported progressively growing relations in politics, economy, culture and tourism, said the diplomat. Since establishing diplomatic ties on Dec. 2, 1992, the two countries have been working closely to strengthen political dialogue, deepen economic cooperation, increase trade exchange and complete legal frameworks of cooperation. Referring to the tourist attractions and the facilities provided for tourists and business travelers, Shiba pointed out that the majority of Albania’s population is Muslim and halal food is widely available. “The country can also boast... about 810 mosques; while its capital city Tirana has a number of important Ottoman and Roman monuments,” he added. The envoy pointed out that Tirana is one of the largest cities in the Balkan Peninsula, with a rich history and heritage. Besides Tirana, the country has a 450-kilometer coastline extending along the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, he noted. Referring to the rich historical and cultural heritage of Albania, the envoy pointed out that Butrint, located in the south of Albania, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Berat and Gjirokastra, two other Albanian cities prominent for their specific architectural style, are also on the list. “I am sure the rich history will leave any interested foreign visitors pleasantly surprised,” said Shiba. “Albania is a safe country for visitors, and Albanians are very open toward Saudis and Gulf tourists,” he added. “I therefore want to seize this opportunity to invite Saudi tourists to take Albania into consideration as one of the best options when making their holiday plans.”
          In the name of the blood and the sun, the dagger and the gun, Christ protect this soldier, a lion and a Macedonian.

          Comment

          • Phoenix
            Senior Member
            • Dec 2008
            • 4671

            #6
            Great, just what the Balkans (and Europe) needs...more visa free travel for salafist and wahhabi extremism...

            Comment

            • Albo
              Member
              • May 2014
              • 304

              #7
              Just some random recent articles on Albania..

              London Report Makes Upbeat Forecast on Albania Economy`

              London-based BMI Research has upgraded Albania's GDP growth forecast for this year and next, based on a favourable climate for investment and a rise in local consumption.

              Albanias GDP is expected to show better-than-expected growth during this year and in 2018, as result of a good climate for domestic and international investment as well rising private consumption.

              BMI, a London-based research firm that provides macroeconomic, industry and financial market analysis, upgraded the GDP growth forecast for Albania to 4 per cent in 2017, up from a previous estimate of 3.6 per cent.

              "We now expect growth to come in at 4.0 per cent in 2017, up from a previous estimate of 3.6 per cent, as the external sector continues to benefit from better-than-expected real GDP growth in the eurozone," it reads.

              Growth in 2018 is expected to counter a regional slowdown as BMI researchers believe the good local climate will help overcome it.

              "We have upgraded our 2018 growth forecast for Albania to 3.7 per cent from 3.3 per cent, as easy monetary policy and decreased perceptions of political risk will support investment and private consumption," it reads.

              Considering the country's economy to be on a strong footing, BMI emphasises that besides the expected boost from the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, TAP, and falling unemployment, Albania has been helped also by the external environment.

              "At the start of 2017, our growth forecast for Italy - Albania's main trade partner - was at 0.9 per cent but we have made successive upward revisions and the forecast now stands at 1.4 per cent," it explains.

              While the report takes account of the inflation rate and Central Bank monetary policies, it emphasises Albania's relative political stability as a positive factor.

              According to it, the outlook for investment has also been bolstered by the relatively smooth passing of the June general elections, which "saw the Socialist Party, led by reform-minded Prime Minister Edi Rama, win an outright majority.

              "The election result, which came despite risks of a crisis, will boost the confidence of both domestic and international investors, with the latter set to provide the bulk of financing for an ambitious infrastructure investment program over the coming years," it reads.

              The economic rise of Albania during 2017 has also been foreseen by other think tanks and economic research groups.

              One of the main reasons is that this year is considered the peak year for major foreign investments that have passed through Albania as a result of the TAP project.

              The pipeline passes through Albanian territory for 252 kilometres, on and offshore. Coming from Greece, it touches around 40 Albanian villages and ends up in Puglia region of Italy after traversing the Adriatic Sea.

              As result of the TAP, Albania is part of Southern Gas Corridor, a gigantic project that will secure gas for Europe directly from the Shah Deniz offshore drilling wells as part of efforts to reduce EU countries' dependence on Russian gas.

              For this reason, Oxford Economics, in its own analysis, emphasises that during 2017 alone, the project "is expected to generate €57 million for Albanian GDP and create 4,200 jobs [part-time and full-time]".



              ****************************
              The Unorthodox Style of Albania’s Prime Minister

              Edi Rama doodles, loves Adidas and sees greater potential for Albanian apparel production.


              *********************

              Protest against 11-year-old Albanian girl in Santorini, Greece (Video)

              The Santorini Police department is investigating a protest carried out by a group of people, who caused a tense situation today by the fact that an 11-year-old student of Albanian origin would hold the Greek flag during the parade for the national day of Greece.


              ***********************

              The Capital of Albania Has Transformed Into a Lively, Affordable Destination


              Comment

              • Albo
                Member
                • May 2014
                • 304

                #8
                Rama to reconstruct 300 health care centers!

                Comment

                • Albo
                  Member
                  • May 2014
                  • 304

                  #9
                  Albania to produce bullets for NATO

                  Comment

                  • mklion
                    Member
                    • Jun 2014
                    • 100

                    #10
                    Albania and Bosnia fail to impress EU

                    ALBANIA and Bosnia have stumbled at the first hurdle of becoming fully-fledged European Union (EU) members after MEPs questioned the credibility of their democratic values.

                    Comment

                    • mklion
                      Member
                      • Jun 2014
                      • 100

                      #11
                      Mass exodus of people out of Albania

                      Berlin and Tirana organised the repatriation of about 70 asylum-seekers and German police have been stationed at Albanian border posts in a bid to stop the flow of migrants.

                      Comment

                      • Albo
                        Member
                        • May 2014
                        • 304

                        #12
                        Originally posted by mklion View Post
                        Mass exodus of people out of Albania

                        http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/arti...nia-07-30-2015
                        Why are you posting articles from 2015..

                        *******************

                        EC increases Albania's 2017 economic growth forecast to 4% - table

                        The European Commission said on Thursday it has raised its projection for Albania's economic growth in 2017 to 4.0% from 3.7% previously.Growth has been driven by foreign direct investments in th


                        *******************

                        Albania Aims To Build on Boom in Tourism

                        Albania earned a record 1.5 billion euros from tourism in 2016, well up from the figures recorded the previous year - but officials say the country must do much more if it is to keep those figures growing.


                        Few people automatically think of Albania when it comes to arranging their holidays, but data showing that Albanian tourism is growing fast has speeded up a drive to formalize the touristic market, codify hotel ratings and promote growth by hunting for foreign investments.

                        Albania's Ministry of Economy and Tourism told BIRN that the main focus now is to continue the upwards trend.

                        "The increase in income from tourism makes us believe that Albania is becoming a competitive country for tourism in the region," a ministry source said.

                        A report by Albania's Central Bank says Albania benefited to the tune of 1.5 billion euros from tourism during 2016, its all-time best.

                        In 2015, the Bank calculated that Albania earned around 1.35 billion euros from tourism. The rise of about 13 per cent during one year alone is considered important, netting the country around 150 million euros extra.

                        However, when it comes to improving the market, one of the biggest challenges is the unverified rating of hotels and other accommodation-related issues.

                        A group from the ministry has been tasked with verifying how accurate the standards that hotels declare online actually are.

                        In April, Albania will also organise its first Mediterranean Fair, where the tourism display on offer is going to be more extensive than ever.

                        Another priority is attracting more foreign investment. There is still no big plan underway for this however, despite it being declared a priority by the government.

                        Poor infrastructure is another hindrance to growth. "We are working on making many areas accessible many areas that are not now. We also have a shortage of [good] accommodation structures," the same ministry source admitted.

                        Representatives of touristic associations make the same remarks, seeing the lack of reliable accommodation as a real problem.

                        The chairman of the Albanian Tourism Association's hotel sector, Zak Topuzi, told Monitor magazine on Sunday that current accommodation capacities are not in line with the increased number of tourists.

                        "We still have [only] 67,000 beds, which is low compared with the growing influx [of visitors]. There is a total lack of investment in tourist resorts and few accommodation structures offer top standards," he said.

                        Tourism experts emphasize that the key to lasting success is spreading the influx of tourists all over the year and not just concentrated only in the three months of the summer.

                        However, the government is starting to invest in off-season mountain holidays. On Monday, the vice-Prime minister, Niko Peleshi unveiled a plan to transform the southeastern village of Voskopoje into an important destination for mountain, historical and cultural tourism.

                        "With this project worth 4 million euros, we want to turn Voskopoja into a model destination when it comes to the development of rural areas," Peleshi said.

                        Voskopoja, which is not far from Korce, is only a village today - but back in the 18th century it was a small city, home mainly to Aromanians, or Vlachs, who built a number of fine churches.

                        Comment

                        • mklion
                          Member
                          • Jun 2014
                          • 100

                          #13
                          Albanian drug dealers a major threat

                          The warning comes from the National Crime Agency as it publishes its annual report into the scale of serious and organised crime in the UK. Deaths from drugs misuse have risen in recent years.

                          Comment

                          • Albo
                            Member
                            • May 2014
                            • 304

                            #14
                            Albania’s wine renaissance

                            The country’s wine industry has an image problem – even within Albania. But a new generation of winemakers are digging deep into their native grape stock, with impressive results

                            Comment

                            • Albo
                              Member
                              • May 2014
                              • 304

                              #15
                              Albanian government relaxes policies for 4- and 5-star hotels



                              Legal

                              Albanian government relaxes policies for 4- and 5-star hotels

                              by*Victoria Rosenthal*|*

                              Nov 14, 2017

                              Albania's government is forgoing strict regulations on its upscale and luxury hotels. The Council of Ministers told*XinhuaNet*the country passed a new tourism policy relaxing the criteria four- and five-star hotels must meet to gain a special status.

                              The draft law now states four-star hotels with an 8 million-euro minimum investment and five-star hotels with a 15 million-euro minimum investment will receive tax cuts on those investments. These five-star properties also aren't required to pay infrastructure taxes. Meanwhile, special status hotels will also benefit from 10-year tax exemptions. When the new hotel tax initiative was launched a few weeks ago, Edi Rama, the PM of Albania, told reporters that "every accommodation facility that obtains a five-star rating from the 30 international luxury brands will not pay taxes for 10 years."

                              According to the PM, the new government has become laser-focused on enhancing the Albanian tourism industry's service quality, including that of four-star hotels. The five-star sector will also receive this huge boost in support, especially since the country has only one or two five-star hotels in the capital city of Tirana. However, Rama warned operators would face stricter regulations if they violate market rules or fail to meet hygiene or service policies. *

                              This new initiative falls in line with the*current tourism boom in the country*this year. The industry has rapidly gained momentum as Albania has been focused on formalizing the market, codifying hotel ratings and seeking out foreign investment in hotel development. “The increase in income from tourism makes us believe that Albania is becoming a competitive country for tourism in the region,”*a source from Albania’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism told BIRN in April 2017.

                              According to a report from Albania’s Central Bank, the country saw its best performance so far in 2016, garnering 1.5 billion euros from tourism in that year. That was an increase of 13 percent from 2015 at about 1.35 billion euros. *

                              However, further foreign investment is necessary as the current guestroom stock in Albania remains low. "We still have [only] 67,000 beds, which is low compared with the growing influx [of visitors],"*Zak Topuzi, chairman of the Albanian Tourism Association’s hotel department, told Monitor.*"There is a total lack of investment in tourist resorts and few accommodation structures offer top standards.”

                              Experts from the industry also stress Albania can only sustain this growing success if the country attracts tourists throughout the year, instead of just in the summer months.*

                              Albania's government is forgoing strict regulations on its upscale and luxury hotels. | Albania's new tourism law outlines numerous tax breaks for four-and five-star hotels.


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                              Video of new road project " Rruga e Arberit" or "The Arber Road" which will link the Diber/Debar region of Albania and Macedonia to within 1 hour of Tirana.. the project will begin in a few weeks
                              (See video)

                              Last edited by Albo; 11-16-2017, 03:21 AM.

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