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Albania Joins the European Family in Three Areas as EU Calls for Deeper Reforms

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania reached an important milestone by closing its first three negotiation chapters with the European Union. Speaking after the 9th Albania-EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels, Kos said the achievement marks a major step in Albania’s path toward EU membership. “Today, we closed the first …

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Balla offers condolences for former Emir of Qatar: His vision and legacy will inspire future generations

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla visited the Embassy of Qatar in Tirana to express condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. During the visit, Balla conveyed his condolences to the Qatari Ambassador, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani …

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Byrne: Albania enters a new phase of EU negotiations as Ireland pledges continued support

Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne praised Albania’s progress on its European integration path, saying the country is entering a new phase of negotiations after agreeing to close three negotiation chapters. Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Edi Rama and European Commissioner …

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Rama from Brussels: Countdown begins to closing all EU negotiation chapters

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video from Brussels after Albania closed its first three EU accession negotiation chapters, describing the moment as the start of a new phase in the negotiation process. Rama said the talks are moving forward and rejected claims that the negotiations had stalled. “Some said …

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FM Hoxha condemns Serbian minister’s Kosova statement over ethnic cleansing remarks

TIRANA, July 14 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha criticised a statement by Serbian Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government Snezhana Paunovic regarding Kosova. Paunovic said that, if she had been in the position of Slobodan Milosevic, she would have carried out “ethnic cleansing of Kosova …

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Family-run agritourism guesthouse promotes local flavors in Berat

Agritourism continues to grow in Berat as family-run businesses promote local products and traditional cuisine while attracting more visitors. In a social media post, Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the ALDOR guesthouse in the village of Syzez. The family-run guesthouse welcomes both Albanian and international visitors in a traditional setting …

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Butrint National Park opens ancient mosaics to visitors during Mosaic Month

Butrint National Park has invited visitors to explore its unique mosaics during a special month dedicated to these ancient artworks. Several mosaics are currently open to the public and will remain on display until the first week of August. The park opens the mosaics during specific periods as part of …

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Shkodër welcomes tourists as visitors explore northern Albania’s cultural sites

TIRANA, July 14 – Shkodër continues to attract local and foreign visitors as its main streets and tourist attractions fill with tourists during the summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing a typical morning in the northern city, which has become one of Albania’s most …

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Albanian flag featured at France’s National Day parade on Champs-Elysee

TIRANA, July 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended France’s National Day ceremony in Paris today at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Rama shared images on social media from the July 14 military parade along the Champs-Elysees. The footage showed members of the Albanian Armed Forces marching with …

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Abissnet Superiore 2026-2027 schedule draw sets opening matches

The Albanian Football Federation held the draw for the 2026-2027 Abissnet Superiore season calendar at the “House of Football” in Tirana. During the ceremony, club representatives and media members attended as the federation announced the fixtures for the 88th edition of Albania’s top football championship. The new season will start …

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Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …

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Week in Review: Hostages to the Past

From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here

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PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …

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The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration

TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …

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Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser

TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …

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FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats

TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …

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Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation visits Canada for NATO Parliamentary Assembly event

TIRANA, July 17 – Igli Hasani, head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, visited Ottawa, Canada, from July 13 to 15 for an event organized by the Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. During the visit, Hasani met Canadian …

News
Black Lake of Radomira attracts adventure tourists

Radomira village, 37 kilometers from Dibër, has become a popular destination for mountain and adventure tourism. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj shared images of Black Lake, located in the heart of Korab-Koritnik National Park. The glacial lake lies among beech and pine forests and offers visitors an untouched natural landscape. The …

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Grant 2026 winners announced, minister says Albania invests 16.5 mln euros in startups

TIRANA, July 17 – Albania announced the winners of the Innovation4Albania Grant 2026 programme, including startups and incubators that will receive financial support. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has invested 16.5 million euros in startups over the past four years. She noted that the initial commitment …

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Excavations to resume at Sarda medieval site

TIRANA, July 17 – Archaeologists will soon resume excavations at the medieval city of Sarda on Shurdhah Island in Lake Vau i Dejës as part of the Albanian-French project The River Drin Valley in the Middle Ages. The project has documented the city’s structures and traced its development during the …

News

Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …

News

Week in Review: Hostages to the Past

From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here

News

PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …

News

The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration

TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …

News

Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser

TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …

News

FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats

TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …

News

Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation visits Canada for NATO Parliamentary Assembly event

TIRANA, July 17 – Igli Hasani, head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, visited Ottawa, Canada, from July 13 to 15 for an event organized by the Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. During the visit, Hasani met Canadian …

News

Black Lake of Radomira attracts adventure tourists

Radomira village, 37 kilometers from Dibër, has become a popular destination for mountain and adventure tourism. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj shared images of Black Lake, located in the heart of Korab-Koritnik National Park. The glacial lake lies among beech and pine forests and offers visitors an untouched natural landscape. The …

News

Grant 2026 winners announced, minister says Albania invests 16.5 mln euros in startups

TIRANA, July 17 – Albania announced the winners of the Innovation4Albania Grant 2026 programme, including startups and incubators that will receive financial support. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has invested 16.5 million euros in startups over the past four years. She noted that the initial commitment …

News

Excavations to resume at Sarda medieval site

TIRANA, July 17 – Archaeologists will soon resume excavations at the medieval city of Sarda on Shurdhah Island in Lake Vau i Dejës as part of the Albanian-French project The River Drin Valley in the Middle Ages. The project has documented the city’s structures and traced its development during the …