Dear reader,
The good news is that Albania now has set its negotiation team and is ready for the first intergovernmental EU membership conference. The not so good news is that the Western Balkans still in many respects are considered not quite belonging to Europe. See below.
The Consulate immediately will send you a bottle of the finest Albanian red wine if you are able to spot Albania on the Danish / EU COVId-19 travel map below dated June 26. 2020.
No luck?, but don´t despair. Below you find the Albanian COVID-19 situation:
Denmark (5,8 million.) has registered 604 corona related fatalities, Albania (2,9 million) registered 53. This is only 1/4 of the Danish number per 100.000 citizens.
Read more (in Albanian) from the Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection here…….
The travel industry in Albania is facing its worst crisis since data can tell
The country saw a 94.4 percent decline in international arrivals in May, the Institute of Statistics reported on Wednesday. The widespread travel restriction and the closure of borders, airports, and seaports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are the main cause of the decline in travel and tourism. This industry, which is one of the main contributors to the Albanian economy, is expected to go through the most difficult years despite the gradual reopening of borders and easing of travel restrictions. The decline in travel and tourism threatens the livelihood of people and families that rely directly on tourism.
According to INSTAT, 46,000 people entered Albania during May. Meanwhile, the number of arrivals during the first five months of 2020 was 602,000, down to 60 percent compared to the same period of 2019. (IIA).
Famous chef Rick Stein visited Albania!
“From Venice to Istanbul”. The part about Albania starts after 15 minutes. Enjoy.
Invest in Albania!
Albania is currently waiting for the opening of negotiations for the European Union accession. This means that the country made progress in key sectors such as the rule of law and the reform in the justice sector. Even though there is much to be done, Albania is paying special attention to potential investors. Read on…..
The New Bazaar in Tirana awarded top ten world architecture.
Read and see a lot more ….
The Italian newspaper ‘Il sole 24Ore’ has published an extended article on the master plan for the development of the new neighborhood near the Tirana River.
‘Tirana Riverside’ is the name of the new neighborhood that will be built along the Tirana River and will change the face of a large area of the Albanian capital, a vanguard neighborhood in terms of construction method.
The master plan created by architect Stefano Boeri together with ‘SON-Group’ have redesigned a 29-hectare area in the north of Tirana, with large parks and green gardens in which about forty mostly residential buildings have been ‘immersed’. From here begins the city’s main artery, the 1.2 kilometer long Boulevard, which ends at Skanderbeg Square.
Sorry, but the promised info about Danish – Albanian relations had to be postponed to one of the next newsletters.
That´s all for now,
sincerely yours,
Hans-Georg Nielsen
Albanian Honorary Consul
