XXI Chamber Fest Opens in Durrës with Artists from Eight Countries
The XXI edition of Chamber Fest Durrës 2026 has opened in the coastal city of Durrës. The international chamber music festival brings together artists from Albania, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and the United States. The opening night took place at the National Archaeological Museum. The “Arola” quartet …
Chief Inspector: Environmental protection tops inspection priorities
TIRANA, July 2 – Chief Inspector Dashnor Sula described Berat County as one of Albania’s most important tourist destinations, highlighting its strategic role in both the summer season and year-round tourism. Speaking to reporters before a training session for inspectors in Berat, Sula said the General Inspectorate will focus on …
Artistic Evening Held at Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan
Young artists in Elbasan held a musical evening at the city’s Ethnographic Museum. First, they transformed the museum garden into a performance stage for a night of music and artistic expression. The event brought together young talents who performed with emotion, passion, and quality musical interpretation. The city’s Directorate of …
Economy minister: Economic growth to provide ALL 17 billion in extra support for pensioners in 2026
TIRANA, July 2 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s economic growth will finance additional support for pensioners, with total extra assistance reaching ALL 17 billion during 2026. Speaking at a meeting with pensioners attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Ibrahimaj said recent economic growth has allowed the …
PM Rama: Foreign investment is not a threat, luxury resorts drive economic growth
TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana. He said foreign investment does not threaten sovereignty or territorial integrity. He said patriotism means strengthening the economy and increasing citizens’ income. He added that Albania must improve competitiveness to attract foreign capital. Rama said rejecting foreign investment …
Albanian Polyphony Performed in Udine, Italy
The Director of the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble, Aulon Naçi, shared images on social media from the ensemble’s concert in Udine, Italy. He said another important chapter in the international journey of Albanian iso-polyphony concluded successfully in Italy. The performance took place within the Piccolo Opera …
Finance minister Malaj: Defence budget reaches 2.6% of GDP, ALL 10.3 billion extra for security and Armed Forces modernisation
TIRANA, July 2 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the government strengthens national defence through the 2026 budget normative act. He said the measure also fulfils Albania’s NATO commitments. Malaj said the normative act allocates an additional ALL 10.3 billion for the defence sector. He also said the Armed Forces …
Gonxhja: New Apollonia Management Plan Strengthens Protection of Archaeological Park Boundaries
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja presented the new management plan for the Apollonia Archaeological Park on social media. First, he said the government declares the site an “Immovable Cultural Property” and strengthens the protection of its boundaries in line with state geospatial standards. Next, he said the …
Rama: AI as a Strategic Accelerator for Albania’s EU Integration
Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that artificial intelligence speeds up Albania’s EU integration by making public administration more efficient. He made the statement at the Ruhr Summit in Germany, where he presented Albania’s vision for using AI in governance. First, he said AI strengthens state capacity by making institutions …
PM Rama: Albania targets artificial intelligence-powered public procurement system
TIRANA, July 1 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to introduce an artificial intelligence-based public procurement system to improve transparency and reduce corruption, while highlighting the country’s broader digital transformation. Speaking at the Ruhr Summit on innovation and entrepreneurship, Rama said Albania now provides more than 1,000 fully …
President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley, where he met with local leaders, including municipal mayors Ardita Sinani and Arbër Bajaziti, the only Albanian member of Serbia’s Parliament, Shaip Kamberi, and the head of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi. The meetings focused on the concerns of Albanians in the …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania has begun preparations to host the next NATO Summit in Tirana, which could take place in 2027. Speaking to Top Channel during the NATO Summit in Ankara, Hoxha described the event as an important milestone for both the Alliance and Albania. Furthermore, he said …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi described Albania’s selection to host the next NATO Summit as a historic moment for the country. In a social media post, Nufi said the decision reflects the trust that NATO allies have placed in Albania. Furthermore, he said the decision recognizes Albania’s strong commitment to Euro-Atlantic …
Albania has entered a new and decisive stage on its path toward European Union membership, Socialist Party parliamentary group leader and EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee co-chair Taulant Balla said in Strasbourg. Speaking at the opening session of the 21st meeting of the committee, Balla described the moment as …
Albania presented its experience in civil service recruitment and selection systems during a regional workshop organised by OECD/SIGMA in Paris. Representatives from the Department of Public Administration (DAP), alongside officials from Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, participated in the workshop titled “Strengthening recruitment and selection systems in the civil …
Kosovo will benefit from €206.4 million in European Union funding, according to acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The EU’s IPA Committee approved Kosovo’s proposed projects under the IPA 2026 and IPA 2027 programmes, worth €180.5 million. In addition, three grants from the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), totaling €25.9 million, …
Tirana Times, July 8, 2026 – NATO’s Ankara Summit, held on July 7 and 8, marked less a moment of new strategic doctrine than a shift from political pledges to implementation. The central message was clear: the Alliance is moving into a phase where defence spending, industrial capacity, support for Ukraine …
TIRANA, July 8 – According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European economy is expected to maintain moderate growth rates during the remaining years of this decade. For the 2027–2031 period, the eurozone economy is forecast to expand by an average of 1.2% annually, while the European …
TIRANA, July 8 – During these hot July days, many foreign tourists fill the streets of Shkodër. Their travel gear and backpacks easily identify them as nature and adventure tourism enthusiasts. Many visitors use Shkodër as a starting point to explore some of northern Albania’s most popular mountain destinations. Meanwhile, …
TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Wednesday that the next NATO Summit will take place in Tirana, following the conclusion of the Alliance’s meeting in Ankara. PM dismissed speculation that Albania would not host the summit. He said the country had moved beyond a time when …