TIRANA, July 19
Today, Tuesday 19 will go down in the history of Albania’s path towards its membership in the European Union. The EU held the long-awaited first intergovernmental conferences with Albania and North Macedonia, as Skopje, finally solved its dispute with Bulgaria.
The conference follows March’s 2020 decision of the Council of the EU on the opening of negotiations with both countries. However, the process was delayed as Bulgaria refused to approve the EU’s negotiation framework for North Macedonia, thus blocking the official start of accession talks even for Albania. The process moved forward only after North Macedonia and Bulgaria agreed on the French proposal.
Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the country holding the rotating Council Presidency said that Albania had stood firmly by its neighbor, North Macedonia, in time of need and that today the waiting is over for both of them.
“The people of Albania and North Macedonia deserve it, and we will all stand to gain when one day we welcome Albania and North Macedonia as full-fledged members of our European Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a joint press statement held on Tuesday morning.
However, what does this mean for Albania, and what is expected from the country to become a full-fledged member of the EU? The process is long, however, it seems that the war in Ukraine, increased the importance of the Western Balkans to the EU.
At first, the initial stage of the accession negotiations requires screening of the EU acquis. European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelhy stated that the screening procedure will assess the alignment of the legal systems of both countries with the EU law. The main tasks for Albania are related to the rule, of law, the justice system, the fight against corruption, etc. Other details will follow.
Source: Council of the EU
Photo Credit: Europan Union in Albania
TIRANA, March 4
Deadline: March 18th at 14:00 hours
A call for ideas that promote sustainable tourism in Albania that creates jobs opportunities is now open by RisiAlbania. The goal of the project is to offer alternate options to seasonal coastal tourism and to increase employment opportunities for people aged 15-29, especially for those living in remote areas. Thus, the call aims at increasing the capacities of local tour operators to promote sustainable tourism offers and to aid them access new tourist markets.
Based on the call announcement, the project will support proposals that promote tourism products that extend beyond the summer season focuses on sustainable tourism models in existing or new products.
Further on, the call announcement ranks the key criteria for the selection of proposals.
The idea/service/tours must create new jobs for young people.
The new services or products are created and implemented in cooperation with local communities and businesses.
Tours take place during winter and or shoulder season or extend the duration of the stay during the high season.
The tour must cover rural areas. At least 30 percent of the night-stay per tour should e in rural and remote areas.
Applications submitted to this call must be economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable.
Criteria for the applicants:
They should be registered tour agencies with a proven record of tour package sales and organization.
Have connections with international agencies
Have their digital marketing means such as websites and social media.
Source: RisiAlbania
Photo credit: Abdulla Diku
Nentor Oseku is a hiker, traveler and a passionate photographer born and raised in Gjakova city of Kosovo. With an unbelievable will and desire, Nentor takes adventurous trips and tours to Albania each weekend and explores its stunning yet not visited places.
Copyright Elaine Ferritto Calip
He was interviewed by us several weeks ago and you can read his interview here. After exploring Albania in the five latest years, Nentor recently published at his personal Facebook account a list of top 15 beaches in Albania under the motto “Visit and Promote Albania”.
Asked about the unique features of these beaches which he chose to rank as the best ones in Albania, Nentor says: “These are unique beaches because you cannot visit them by car, they are entirely virgin and the only way to visit them is by hiking or by boat. Hiking is the best option since at the same time you enjoy walking in the mountains and then you can swim in the Ionian Sea waters.”
He adds that to reach these destinations people have to hike from 1 hour to 7 hours, it depends on the beach they choose to visit. “Some of these beaches are near to hotels and some others very far away, so you have to carry your tent with you,” according to Nentor.
Here is the full list:
Albania’s coastline is 316 km long and the sure thing is that Rana e Hedhun is a unique place nowhere else to be found in the country. Located near Shengjin, about 63km away from capital city Tirana, Rana e Hedhun is a rare location due to sand dunes on the slopes of the mountainside. No photo can do justice to the beauty of this place. Until July 2017 it was difficult to access the area due to the lack of road infrastructure. Local businesses constructed a 3.6 km long road segment and the beach is now easily accessible.
Grama Bay is still one of the top wonders of the Albanian coast. Like many other secret beaches in Karaburun Peninsula, Grama is the perfect place for those, who are looking for an intimate. This must-visit site can be reached either by foot or sea. It takes a seven-hour walk from Llogara to Grama Bay. The beach is safe for camping, yet it is not recommended when the wind is strong. Campers must take food, water, and other supplies because the area is isolated. In the past, it was used as a safe place for ships during storms. Grama’s name is related to the engravings that people made in rocks during centuries.
Photo Credit: Zhanpovel Beach
Zhanpovel Beach is among the lesser-known gems of the Albanian coast. Like Grama Bay, this beach is located on the largest peninsula in Albania. Karaburun coastline is 70km long and it is home to stunning beaches and natural monuments. However, the lack of water makes life in the peninsula difficult. The lack of infrastructure has kept beaches as Zhanpovel protected from human impact. The beach can be reached by land if you follow Orikum Marina-Karaburun itinerary or by boat starting from the coasts of Orikum, Rradhima, or Vlora.
Photo Credit: Shen Jani Bar
One of the most beautiful bays in Karaburun Peninsula. Inglezi Bay can be accessed only by small speedboats. Normally, the bay is invisible to the eye and it can be reached with the help of local guides or fishermen. It is located next to Gjuheza Cape, a few miles south of Haxhi Alia Cave. It takes 45 minutes by speedboat to reach the Bay.
Gjipe Beach is a rare place in the Albanian Riviera. It is located between Vuno and Ilias villages and can be reached by land through a narrow path or by boat. This setting is special because of the canyon that begins at Petasma waterfall, about 75 meters high. The beach has a length of 4 km and a maximum height of 70 meters. Gjipe Beach is a must-visit.
Photo Credit: Bashkia Himare
Filikuri is a small and intimate beach in Himara area. It is located between Potami and Llaman beaches and it is surrounded by high cliffs. The beach can be reached by boat or kayak. Take enough food and water with you if you plan to spend a few hours in Filikuri.
Kakome is located next to Krorez Beach. It used to be one of the most beautiful summer destinations in southern Albania until it was closed as private property. Now the beach can be accessed only by boat.
Tetranisi Islands also known as Tre Ishujt Ksamil are located in the small village that has turned into a summer hotspot for Albanian and international tourists.
Pema e Thate is a small beach near Ksamil. A big sign in Ksamil says that Pema e Thate is just one km away, but it is about five km away. It faces Corfu Island and it’s also the closest point between Albania and the Island. This beach is different from the other beaches in southern Albania due to its shallow waters, a fact that makes it a perfect bathing place for children.
Photo Credit: Arton Krasniqi
Credits: Nentor Oseku
TIRANA, January 5
Entrepreneurs, local entities, tour guides, nonprofits, citizens, and people working in the tourism sector who have an idea for new experimental itineraries for smart tourism destinations can apply for the NEST project (Networking for Smart Tourism Development). The first call of the project funded by the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme will welcome submission until January 8th at noon.
The project aims at attracting ideas that contribute to the promotion and advancement of international competitiveness for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the tourism sector. The ideas should focus on the implementation of innovative and sustainable approaches that improve destination accessibility, development, management, and marketing.
The project encourages the wide participation of citizens, local entities, entrepreneurs, and tour operators for the creation of innovative products and services that combine nature, cultural assets, and gastronomy.
Interested individuals or entities can submit more than one proposal, according to the form (Shtojca A) published by the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
More details on the application process are available here.
Source: financa.gov.al
Photo: Zogaj on Shkodra Lake by Abdulla Diku
TIRANA, October 28
Albanian authorities have reopened the bid procedure on the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and transfer of the Saranda International Airport (SIA). Based on the announcement made by the Public Procurement Agency (APP) on October 26, interest investors have one month to submit bids.
The first biding procedure on Saranda Airport was closed on October 14. Despite the changes to the contracts and two deadline extensions, the first attempt failed to attract any offers.
According to the bid file available at the APP under the reference number: REF-09417-10-25-2021, the project estimated value is Euro 34,320,000 (VAT excluded) while the contract duration is set at 35 years.
The deadline for bid submission is within and no later than November 26, at noon.
Based on the official documents, the planned project (a Greenfield investment type) would be implemented in the Vurgu Plain area, six km away from Saranda and at an elevation of 20 meters above sea level.
Source: APP
Photo by Jordi Moncasi on Unsplash
