PART II/ THE STORY OF THE MAIN ACCUSED IN THE THEFT FROM THE BANK OF ALBANIA BITRAJ: DEBTS IN CASINOS “The owners knew where I worked and I would pay them back” • Testimony: M. knew me well, he did not pressure me for the money I owed him • Prosecutor’s Office: According to the investigation, Ardian Bitraj lost only 300 thousand euro in gambling By KLODIANA LALA Ardian Bitraj, the former head of the Stock Vault, has pointed to several betting shops and casinos, where he claims he lost the 713 million stolen from the State Treasury in Linzë. In his testimony, he states that in one Continues on page 4 (In photo:) The Treasury building of the Bank of Albania. Ardian Bitraj, former head of the Stock Vault

Opinion of the Day By MIMOZA KOÇIU A year and a half ago, her daily pace began to slow down. From an energetic and super-active person, she did everything reluctantly, ... The empty vanity of the ice bucket Continues on page 18

Opinion of the Day By PETRIT HALITI It is not very clear why German diplomacy called, on 22 August in Berlin, for a meeting with its Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter... Albania and Serbia, competing to win Germany Continues on page 19

On pages 2-3

Directorate of Professional Training No. 1, areas from auto-electrics to hairdressing and aesthetics Fees to be paid and their duration; for those who come from the employment offices, free of charge By OLA MITRE A vocational course, lasting no more than 4 months, could be the solution to finding a job. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth has declared education and vocational training one of its priorities, while the need of the Albanian labor market for trades such as mechanic, technician or electrician is increasingly being expressed. For this reason, “Gazeta Shqiptare” today publishes in full all the vocational training courses offered by Public Vocational Training Directorate No. 1 in Tirana. Likewise, to assist interested readers, “GSH” also publishes the corresponding fees for each course as well as their duration. What is worth noting is their low cost, On pages 8-9

ENEDA TARIFA: I’LL TELL YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT THE STORY OF LEAVING “PORTOKALLI” “Summer pages”

Berisha accepts Artur Neli’s invitation, gives money for ALS On page 5

Rama: We will plant 400 thousand m² with greenery On page 3

Naval military base, between slogans and history On pages 10-11

The role of mass media in modern societies On page 22