Macedonia’s new consulate in Albania’s port city Durres is expected to dish up an raising number of Macedonian visitors and an increasing business interest on the coastline of Albania. This year, almost thirty thousand Macedonian people spend their vacation in Albania.
Balkan Tours’ owner Petko Kutanoski told that Durres is at present of keenest interest for the tourists of Macedonia in addition to Saranda and Valona, because of the low prices as well as proximity of Adriatic sea.
While speaking to a leading newspaper, Kutanoski told that Macedonian visitors are treated really well and they have not faced any problem. The new consulate can put up to an even larger sense of security. Several Macedonian people have not had a scope to visit, and it is nice to have an institution to turn to in case of requirement.
Kutanoski told that figure of Macedonian investors in Albania is increasing firmly as they start to invest in commercial and residential property, shops, restaurant businesses, hotel as well as other businesses in the port city of Durres and the nearby tourist regions. This is the reason why it is starting a consulate to give legal support is a good thing.
Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia’s president Mendres Kuci told that this consulate would serve protect their companies investing there in case of need or if damaged in any way. It would also encourage Macedonia’s tourist and economic potential to Albanian businessmen. He added that this is great signal that Albania – Macedonia political relations are improving.
Albania brings in new passport rules
The government of Albania, responding to its increasing expatriate population, tells that it plans to allow the Albanian people’s children living abroad to seek citizenship. But it is stressing the standard, coming into force 1st August, will not be given to ethnic Albanian people living in Kosovo.
Once, Albania was one of the most isolated countries in the world, and thousands left the country during the communist period. Later, a huge section of its people went abroad to look for work, beginning in the early 90s following the collapse of Communist rulers across east Europe.
Fearing their new plan might stoke Balkan distrust regarding the status of the Albanian ethnic people in other places in the region, Sali Berisha, the outgoing Prime Minister, stated that the new regulations are not targeted at expanding the nation’s borders.
Albania has a very good scope of getting candidate status to European Union if it carries out a transition of power as well as speed up some reforms, stated an European Union envoy recently. The European Union as well as Albania’s NATO friends want a transition in the Adriatic nation that has not been a stranger to political situation after voters gave the opposition party a landslide win over the government.
An EU envoy told reporters that following these elections, they believe that there would be a smooth transition of power in order to concentrate and accelerate the reforms which are needed for Albania. All the opportunities in order to get the candidate status are there and they believe that this will be possible thanks also to this renewed commitment.
Albania celebrates LGBT community
Albania arranges IDAHO week to offer the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) community sexual liberation from physical and verbal homophonic abuse. Pink Embassy as well as LGBT Pro Albania have recently arranged a week long celebration that includes the nations 2nd Festival of Diversity, LGBT lectures and exhibitions.
This is a part of holding a stand as Albania observes International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia for the 5th time this week, ending on IDAHO day – on May 17.
Albania is known as one of the most homophobic nations in the European continent; but this year has been making some serious progress, that even includes new legislation. The FES Foundation’s recent study stated that over fifty percent of young people in Albania are homophobic.
Amarildo Fecanji, the Pink Embassy General Manager told that Homophobia, discrimination and prejudice still prevail as well as several officials failed to stop themselves from discriminatory comments or taking positive measures in this issue. In a public debate politician Murat Basha stated that he would hit his son with a bullet if he found out he was a homosexual.
Most people in the country feel uncomfortable speaking about sex in public, and gay stuffs are out of question. The problem is general lack of info regarding sex or sexuality. The confidence of Albania’s LGBT community is increasing. Pink Embassy estimated that 400 – 500 LGBTs as well as LGBT supporters will be a part of the IDAHO events.