New vice foreign minister introduced
TIRANA, Aug. 14 – Anton Gurakuqi will be the new vice foreign minister. Gurakuqi belongs to the Christian Democratic Party of Nard Ndoka. He replaces Florent Celiku who moved to another post, according to Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj. Gurakuqi is a doctor by profession and was head of the political party’s branch in the northern city of Shkodra. Previously Mr. Gurakuqi has been member of municipality council in Shkodra.
Moisiu visits quake affected areas
VLORA, Aug. 13 – On Sunday Albanian President Alfred Moisiu visited the villages in southwestern Albania that have been damaged by the recent quakes. Moisiu went to Himara and villages nearby to meet with local authorities and residents. A series of quakes Aug. 6 and 8 damaged some 100 houses with a cost of around 15 million leks according to preliminary reports.
Poll shows Rama and Meta winners
A poll conducted by the opposition Socialist Party said that their leader Edi Rama and leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Ilir Meta would beat any opponent if they would run for the post of the Tirana Mayor next elections. The poll had allegedly asked 1,650 persons.
Higher salaries for police, National Guard employees
TIRANA, Aug. 16 – A government decision Wednesday increased the salaries of 12,000 police officers and also of the National Guard by 14.75 percent. Policemen involved in the fight against organized crime, terrorist acts and those of scientific police ranks had the biggest raise with 62.4 percent. The average police salary increased from 33,700 lek to 38,300 lek.
9th Albanian contingent heads to Afghanistan
TIRANA, Albania נThe 9th Albanian contingent left Wednesday for Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force. The 22-strong Albanian unit serves under Turkish command. It rotates every six months. Albania has also three medical staff members at a joint medical team together with Croatia and Macedonia. The tiny Balkan country has sent small peacekeeping army units to Iraq and Bosnia as well along its effort to join NATO by 2008.
