PRESS RELEASE
Meeting of the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, with journalists, analysts and executives of media

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Mr. Ardian Fullani, on the occasion of the closing of the year, met with distinguished journalists, politics and economics analysts, executives and other representatives of media in Albania.

On this occasion, the Governor extended his warmest wishes to the attendees and appraised the work of journalists for the significant contribution they have provided to conveying the Bank of Albania messages.

In his speech, the Governor made an overview of the Albanian economy, emphasising that the year 2010 attested to a number of economic events, and the media has always been present to transmit the news to the public. Governor Fullani underlined that the work made by the Bank of Albania, throughout the year 2010, helped to safeguard and strengthen the macroeconomic stability at home and the financial sustainability of the banking system.

During this meeting, Mr. Fullani also introduced the Bank of Albania Calendar for the year 2011. The initiative undertaken by the Bank of Albania to promote the country's cultural heritage in and across the borders is already known. The Governor of the Bank of Albania stated that bridges are the calendar's focus for this year, as through the centuries they have connected various nations, traditions and cultures. This year calendar has therefore chosen bridges as the theme of the year, translated into a virtual concept which connects the Bank of Albania with the public. 

In conclusion, the Governor announced the winners of the open competition 'The Governor's Award for the Best Diploma Thesis', for the year 2010.

The first place to Ms. Lorena Skufi, graduate student of Tirana University, for the thesis: 'Development of sustainable tourism in Albania; an empirical approach to Albania'.

The second place to Ms. Fabiola Hysenbelliu, graduate student of London School of Economics, for the thesis: 'To what extent Albanian integration's agenda is progressing toward the European Union standard requirements in the politics and government field?'

The third place to Ms. Evisi Kopliku, postgraduate student of Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus, for her master thesis 'The impact of the global financial crisis on the South-East Europe economies'.

This competition is dedicated to Albanian students who have graduated abroad or in Albania over this year, for their scientific research on issues concerning the monetary economics, the financial stability, the Balkan economic integration in Europe, the Bank of Albania's activity, the Albanian banking system and economy in general.