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FM Hoxha: Albania enjoys unprecedented international standing

TIRANA, June 30 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania is experiencing one of the most important periods in its foreign policy history and now enjoys its highest level of international respect and credibility. In a social media post, Hoxha said he reached that conclusion after nearly four months in …

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National Folk Ensemble to perform in London for first time

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s cultural heritage will take center stage in London through the universal language of art as the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet announced that the National Folk Songs and Dances Ensemble will perform in the United Kingdom for the first time. The performance will take …

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Communist-Era Secret Police Archives Shed New Light on Albania’s Past

Researchers from Albania and abroad gathered in Tirana for an international scientific conference to examine the political persecution carried out by Albania’s former State Security service (Sigurimi) between 1944 and 1991. The event highlighted the importance of archival documents in studying the country’s communist past. Opening the conference, AIDSSH Chair …

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President Begaj approves penal amnesty law, 380 inmates to gain immediate release

TIRANA, June 30 – President Bajram Begaj signed into law the Penal Amnesty Law, approving legislation previously passed by Parliament. The law provides immediate release for 380 inmates. It also reduces the remaining sentences of about 900 other prisoners. Under the law, all men sentenced to up to 3 years …

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Spille Beach ranks among Albania’s summer destinations

TIRANA, June 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of Spille Beach on social media. He described the Adriatic destination as one of Albania’s summer highlights. Spille Beach lies about 15 km from the Durrës–Rrogozhina road. It also sits about 20 km from the town of Kavaja. A long …

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Startup Albania Funding Drives Growth of Innovative Businesses

The Startup Albania grant program continues to help innovative businesses grow across Albania. Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the program’s impact by sharing the success story of SunEasy, a startup that has expanded after receiving support through the 2024 Grant Scheme. According to Ibrahimaj, the right funding …

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Nufi: Albania Remains a Reliable and Committed NATO Ally

Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to NATO during the Athens Defence Conference, organized by the Delphi Economic Forum and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). Nufi said Europe faces an increasingly challenging security environment. Therefore, he stressed that stronger strategic coordination among allies is …

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Nufi in Greece: Albania and Greece to Deepen Cooperation in Security, Cyber Defence and Civil Emergencies

Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited Athens on an official trip, where he was warmly received by his Greek counterpart, Defence Minister Nikos Dendias. The main focus of the visit was strengthening bilateral cooperation between Albania and Greece in defence and security. Both sides highlighted the positive and constructive momentum …

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Ibrahimaj: New Investment Law to Be Approved Within the Year, Public Consultation Starts in Summer

Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the government will approve a new investment law within this year. This reform will improve the business climate and align Albania with EU standards. She made the statement at a press conference. She added that investment policy remains one of the government’s …

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Albania and UN Sign 2027–2031 Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development

The Government of Albania and the United Nations signed the Albania–UN Cooperation Framework 2027–2031 in Tirana. As a result, both sides reaffirmed their joint commitment to sustainable development and improved wellbeing across the country. In this context, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu signed the agreement on behalf of Albania. Meanwhile, …

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Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

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Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

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Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

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Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

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PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

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From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

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Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

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ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

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Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News

Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

News

Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

News

Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

News

Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

News

PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

News

From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

News

Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

News

ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News

Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News

Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …