Greek Ambassador at COD: Tackling Stereotypes in Diplomacy and Society
Culture and diplomacy took center stage at the “Diplomacy and Culture – Greece” meeting, organized by the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD). Greek Ambassador to Albania Elina Komini attended the event as a guest. The meeting explored the role of culture and diplomacy in strengthening international relations and overcoming …
Marie Kraja: The Soprano with the Crystal-Clear Voice and TKOB Founder
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet today commemorated the 115th anniversary of the birth of “People’s Artist” Marie Kraja, describing her as one of the most prominent voices in Albanian opera and one of the founding figures of the institution. Marie Kraja was born on Sept. 24, 1911. She …
“Unbounded Voices”: Photo Exhibition in Tirana Celebrates Women of the Balkans
Agence France-Presse (AFP) has brought “Unbounded Voices: Women of the Balkans – Strength & Legacy” to Tirana. The photography exhibition opened today at Vila 31 x Art Explora with support from L’Oréal Group. The exhibition brings together intimate portraits of nine women from across the Balkans. Their stories explore daily …
Pirdeni Meets EU Ambassador: Focus on Public Administration Reform and Fight Against Corruption
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni met today with European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. During the meeting, Pirdeni and Ambassador Moreira de Sousa discussed the next steps in Albania’s EU accession negotiations, public administration reform and the fight against corruption. Pirdeni highlighted …
Former Intelligence Chief Accused of Blackmailing Leading Investigative Journalist
Vlora Hyseni’s public accusation against Klodiana Lala has triggered an unusually broad reaction from journalists’ organizations and opposition politicians, while raising a deeper question: was Albania’s intelligence service collecting information on investigative journalists, and could such information have been used to intimidate them? Tirana Times, September 24, 2026 – Klodiana …
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development raises Albania growth forecast to 3.5%
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5%, from 3.4% in June. The bank linked the revision to reforms and investment related to European Union accession. Albania’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2025 and by 3.7% in the first …
Archaeological research resumes at Paleolithic settlement in Gajtan near Shkodër
Archaeological research has resumed for a second consecutive year in Gajtan village, east of Shkodër, near the Gajtan Cave. The work forms part of the Gajtan Paleolithic Archaeological Research in Albania project. Archaeologist Rudens Ruka leads the project, which brings together Albania’s Institute of Archaeology and several French research institutions. …
FM Hoxha meets EU vice-president Kallas, reaffirms Albania’s commitment to regional cooperation
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha attended a lunch hosted by European Commission Vice-President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. Western Balkan leaders and foreign ministers also attended. The discussions focused on current developments in the Western Balkans, regional challenges and closer …
Excellence and internship programmes offer entry to Albania’s public administration
The Excellence Programme and the National Internship Programme are government initiatives that help young graduates enter Albania’s public administration. The two programmes differ in the type and duration of the opportunity they offer. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared the experiences of two young women who have joined the public …
Albania collects record 164.9 billion ALL in customs revenue
Albania’s Customs Administration collected a record 164.9 billion ALL in revenue during the first eight months of 2026. The figure is 6.8 billion ALL higher than in the same period last year. According to the General Directorate of Customs, the result reflects stronger import activity, improved administration and tighter controls. …
Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, a prominent figure of the Albanian Catholic clergy, was born on September 28, 1939, in Klezna, near Ulqin, Montenegro. He studied theology and philosophy in Zadar and Zagreb, Croatia. He was ordained a priest on July 5, 1965. Mirdita later moved to New York to serve the …
Albania offers visitors far more than typical tourist souvenirs. Traditional flavors, handmade crafts and historical objects allow travellers to take home a piece of the country’s culture and identity. French travel media outlet “Generation Voyage” highlights several authentic products that visitors can discover in Tirana and Kruja. At Tirana International …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Yohei Wakabayashi during his visit to Tirana. Wakabayashi became the first senior Japanese Defense Ministry official to visit Albania, according to the Japanese Embassy in Tirana. At the start of the meeting, he expressed regret over the damage caused …
Lake Prespa has received 500,000 carp fingerlings produced in Zvezda, Korça. The initiative aims to strengthen the aquatic ecosystem, protect biodiversity and support local fishing. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said the fingerlings would help restore aquatic fauna and enrich Prespa’s natural resources. Meanwhile, the initiative aims to …
The Shiroka–Zogaj road along Lake Shkodër forms part of Albania’s efforts to improve tourism infrastructure. The government investment strengthens links between tourism offerings in Albania and Montenegro. It also facilitates travel between the two countries. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the road on Monday morning. He described the …
Industrial production in Albania expanded in 2025, with higher output in construction materials, food and automotive components, according to data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). INSTAT published its PRODCOM Industrial Products Survey on Monday. The data showed higher production of several products important to the domestic and export markets. …
Albania’s European integration requires the contribution of citizens, political parties and public officials at all levels, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said on Monday. He spoke at the Interparliamentary Conference on the strategic agenda for European Union enlargement and Albania’s membership. Hoxha said enlargement should be viewed as a political and …
President Bajram Begaj convened the National Security Council to discuss current issues and their impact on security institutions. The meeting also included representatives of the General Prosecution Office and the Special Prosecution Office, alongside the council’s legal members, the Presidency said. The council discussed measures to strengthen cooperation among institutions …
The National Security Council, convened by President Bajram Begaj, concluded its meeting held on Monday at the Palace of Brigades. The meeting began at 08:30 and was also attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, along with the heads of the country’s main security institutions and other senior state officials. The …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha received Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the German Bundestag’s Committee on European Union Affairs, in Tirana on Monday morning. The Minister said in a post on X that the discussion provided a valuable opportunity to assess Albania’s progress through its ambitious reform agenda …