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Competition Authority launches grocery price monitoring following public complaints

Albania’s Competition Authority has launched a market monitoring process focused on the retail sale of essential grocery products, following complaints from citizens and concerns raised by members of parliament over the prices of everyday consumer goods. According to an official statement, the monitoring will cover the country’s main supermarket chains …

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Rama shares negative review of Rozafa Castle: Hopes prosecutors will act against ‘blackmailers’

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again reacted to negative online reviews, this time sharing a video highlighting critical ratings of Rozafa Castle in Shkodra. The prime minister said such posts are harming Albania’s tourism sector and expressed hope that prosecutors will swiftly take action against those he described as individuals who …

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Rama on protests: Algorithm amplified negativity, ‘adding fuel to the fire’

Prime Minister Edi Rama met with young people in Jalë on Saturday, where he discussed the recent protests and the impact of social media algorithms. Rama said algorithms play a significant role in amplifying negativity, online noise and manipulated content, describing such videos as “fuel added to a fire” that, he argued, was started by …

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Kanye West welcomed by Edi Rama, Albanian PM shares footage of meeting

One of the world’s best-known rappers, Kanye West, was welcomed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who shared footage of their meeting on social media. The video shows Rama introducing the American artist to aspects of Albania’s culture and history. West arrived in Albania ahead of his concert scheduled for …

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Hoxha tells young people in Jalë: EU membership requires your involvement – Europe starts at home

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, together with Prime Minister Edi Rama, took part in an open discussion with 150 young activists from Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro at #RinCamp2026. Albania’s EU accession process and the country’s progress towards membership were among the key topics discussed during the panel organised by the National …

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K’cimi dancing of Tropojë – Gazmend Freitag

by Monika Grill Tirana Times, July 11, 2026 – “K’cimi i Tropoja” – the dance that endured over centuries and kept the Albanian identity alive, has been officially declared part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. “K’cimi i Tropoja” refers to a traditional …

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Kanye West concert in Tirana today, road restrictions announced

Tirana, July 11 – International artist Kanye West will perform today in Tirana. The concert will take place at Eagle Stadium, a venue built specifically in the Kashar area. To ensure public safety and manage traffic, Tirana Police has announced temporary road restrictions around the event area. From 07:00 to …

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Justice reforms bring Albania closer to European Union membership

Tirana, July 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said justice system reforms and the implementation of the National Reform Agenda under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans are concrete steps toward Albania’s European Union membership. Gogu said a strong, independent and accountable justice system remains a key pillar of …

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Rama: Albania will close first three EU negotiation chapters at July 14 conference

Albania moves closer to the European Union as it prepares for the 9th Intergovernmental Conference with the EU on July 14 in Brussels. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that Albania will provisionally close the first three negotiation chapters, marking a major milestone in the country’s EU accession process. The conference …

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Italian media “The Wom Travel” names Albanian Riviera among Europe’s most authentic destinations

Italian travel magazine “The Wom Travel” has ranked Albania among the 10 most authentic and least crowded destinations in Europe for summer 2026, highlighting the country’s untouched nature, cultural heritage and affordable travel options. According to the publication, Albania has strengthened its position on Europe’s tourism map by offering visitors …

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Rama: Albanian iso-polyphony and çifteli flute sounds inspire “The Odyssey” soundtrack

Albanian musical traditions have inspired the soundtrack of one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video about the film and said Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson visited southern Albania. During his visit, Göransson explored Albanian iso-polyphony and the traditional sounds …

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Rama: New Saranda Welcome Center improves mobility and services for tourists

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new Saranda Welcome Center at the Port of SarandaThe new facility aims to improve the visitor experience and make movement around the city easier. It serves as a modern gateway for passengers and tourists. The center offers parking for cars and tourist buses. It …

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EU Commissioner Kos condemns Serbian minister’s remarks on Kosovo

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo. Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight. The …

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Minister: Albania targets full electrification of Tirana-Durrës-airport rail link by end-2027

Albania plans to fully electrify the Tirana-Durrës railway line and its branch to Tirana International Airport by the end of 2027, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Thursday. Presenting a bill to Parliament to ratify a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Karakaçi …

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Serbian Minister’s Ethnic Cleansing Remarks ‘Irresponsible and Outrageous,’ Balla Tells Parliament

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-turn-id-container=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described recent remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović as “irresponsible and outrageous” during a debate in Parliament with MP Redi Muçi, who questioned why Balla had not publicly responded to the …

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Spiropali Publishes Motion Submitted to Socialist Assembly, Calls for Reform of Socialist Party and Electoral System

Socialist Party MP Elisa Spiropali has made public the motion she submitted to the Socialist Party’s General Assembly, proposing the launch of a national dialogue on a “New Agreement for Albania.” Spiropali said the document is not a personal initiative but an open proposal for discussion among all members of …

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Berisha Congratulates New Democratic Party Leadership: Free Vote Is the Foundation of Our Party

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has congratulated the newly elected members of the party’s leadership, emphasizing that the selection process was based on the free vote of the National Council. Berisha said the new leadership represents a renewal of the party, with several new figures taking on key positions. Speaking …

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Tirana-Durrës Railway Line Set for Electrification, Karakaçi: Service to Be Operational by End of 2027

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi told Parliament on Thursday that the government has submitted a bill to ratify an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will finance the full electrification of the Tirana-Durrës railway line and the Rinas railway station. The minister said …

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Rama: ‘Smart City’ Project Moves Forward, Set to Expand Nationwide

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the “Smart City” Command and Control Center on Thursday, stating that Albania’s public safety system is entering a new era through real-time monitoring technology. Rama said the new system is designed to detect and prevent potential threats in real time by immediately alerting the monitoring …

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Rama and Lamallari Present ‘Smart City’ Command and Control Center: System Detects Threats in Real Time

The Command and Control Center, one of the key components of Albania’s national “Smart City” project, was officially unveiled on Thursday. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, partners, and invited guests, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said the initiative is far more than a …

News

Rama: Albanian iso-polyphony and çifteli flute sounds inspire “The Odyssey” soundtrack

Albanian musical traditions have inspired the soundtrack of one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video about the film and said Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson visited southern Albania. During his visit, Göransson explored Albanian iso-polyphony and the traditional sounds …

News

Rama: New Saranda Welcome Center improves mobility and services for tourists

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new Saranda Welcome Center at the Port of SarandaThe new facility aims to improve the visitor experience and make movement around the city easier. It serves as a modern gateway for passengers and tourists. The center offers parking for cars and tourist buses. It …

News

EU Commissioner Kos condemns Serbian minister’s remarks on Kosovo

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo. Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight. The …

News

Minister: Albania targets full electrification of Tirana-Durrës-airport rail link by end-2027

Albania plans to fully electrify the Tirana-Durrës railway line and its branch to Tirana International Airport by the end of 2027, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Thursday. Presenting a bill to Parliament to ratify a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Karakaçi …

News

Serbian Minister’s Ethnic Cleansing Remarks ‘Irresponsible and Outrageous,’ Balla Tells Parliament

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-turn-id-container=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described recent remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović as “irresponsible and outrageous” during a debate in Parliament with MP Redi Muçi, who questioned why Balla had not publicly responded to the …

News

Spiropali Publishes Motion Submitted to Socialist Assembly, Calls for Reform of Socialist Party and Electoral System

Socialist Party MP Elisa Spiropali has made public the motion she submitted to the Socialist Party’s General Assembly, proposing the launch of a national dialogue on a “New Agreement for Albania.” Spiropali said the document is not a personal initiative but an open proposal for discussion among all members of …

News

Berisha Congratulates New Democratic Party Leadership: Free Vote Is the Foundation of Our Party

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has congratulated the newly elected members of the party’s leadership, emphasizing that the selection process was based on the free vote of the National Council. Berisha said the new leadership represents a renewal of the party, with several new figures taking on key positions. Speaking …

News

Tirana-Durrës Railway Line Set for Electrification, Karakaçi: Service to Be Operational by End of 2027

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi told Parliament on Thursday that the government has submitted a bill to ratify an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will finance the full electrification of the Tirana-Durrës railway line and the Rinas railway station. The minister said …

News

Rama: ‘Smart City’ Project Moves Forward, Set to Expand Nationwide

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the “Smart City” Command and Control Center on Thursday, stating that Albania’s public safety system is entering a new era through real-time monitoring technology. Rama said the new system is designed to detect and prevent potential threats in real time by immediately alerting the monitoring …

News

Rama and Lamallari Present ‘Smart City’ Command and Control Center: System Detects Threats in Real Time

The Command and Control Center, one of the key components of Albania’s national “Smart City” project, was officially unveiled on Thursday. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, partners, and invited guests, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said the initiative is far more than a …