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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

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Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

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Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

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Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

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Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

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Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

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Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

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Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …

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Kosova education minister attends Albanian language competition in Tirana, highlights joint education efforts

TIRANA, April 16 – Kosova’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hajrulla Çeku attended the final of the National Albanian Language Competition in Tirana. He joined the event at the invitation of Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro. Çeku said he chose Tirana for his first official visit as minister …

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Albania agriculture minister says farmer consultations shape support schemes

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla said more than 65,000 farmers benefited from the national support scheme last year. He described the figure as evidence of broad participation across the country. Speaking in parliament, Salla addressed concerns raised by opposition lawmaker Ramadan Lika …

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Albania signs agreement to establish Besa Museum in Tirana

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport signed an agreement with the Besa Cultural Foundation to establish the Besa [Faith] Museum in Tirana. The deal was signed during the fourth Diaspora Summit and launches a project focused on historical memory and cultural heritage. The museum will …

News
Albanian language competition final held in Tirana, new joint competition with Kosova announced

TIRANA, April 16 – Schools “Edith Durham” in Tirana and “Besëlidhja” in Lezha hosted the final of the fourth National Albanian Language Competition on Thursday. Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro attended the event together with Kosova’s Minister of Education Hajrulla Çeku. Kumbaro praised students, teachers and parents for their …

News
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine as violations of international humanitarian law

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha condemned the latest wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine. He said drone and missile attacks hit civilian areas and caused casualties, including children. Hoxha expressed solidarity with victims, the injured, and their families. He said the attacks …

News
Prime Minister Rama meets Italian Prime Minister Meloni in Rome, highlights strategic cooperation and major joint projects

TIRANA, April 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace in Rome on Thursday. The visit focused on bilateral cooperation and ongoing strategic projects between Albania and Italy. PM Rama posted a statement on social media after the meeting. He said Italian …

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Greek Defense Minister visits Kosovo, meets Kurti

Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias is in Kosovo today for an official visit. It is reported that on Thursday morning he was received in a meeting by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The news was announced by Dendias himself on X. “Working breakfast with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin …

News
Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine, Hoxha: A Serious Violation of International Humanitarian Law

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has reacted to the latest massive Russian attacks on Ukraine. Through a post on X, Hoxha expressed solidarity with the victims, the injured, and their families, and described the attacks as unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. “We …

News
Rama in Italy, welcomed with an official ceremony by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Italy on Thursday afternoon, where he was received with a state ceremony by his counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Rama is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, as well as with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, focusing on joint projects and the strengthening of …

News
Albania, a “champion” in the region for rising prices over the past decade, based on purchasing power

Over the past 10 years, Albania has approached EU price levels faster than any other country in the Western Balkans region. According to data from Eurostat, in 2015 the price level based on purchasing power was 48% of the EU average, making Albania one of the cheapest countries in the …

News

Kosova education minister attends Albanian language competition in Tirana, highlights joint education efforts

TIRANA, April 16 – Kosova’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology Hajrulla Çeku attended the final of the National Albanian Language Competition in Tirana. He joined the event at the invitation of Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro. Çeku said he chose Tirana for his first official visit as minister …

News

Albania agriculture minister says farmer consultations shape support schemes

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla said more than 65,000 farmers benefited from the national support scheme last year. He described the figure as evidence of broad participation across the country. Speaking in parliament, Salla addressed concerns raised by opposition lawmaker Ramadan Lika …

News

Albania signs agreement to establish Besa Museum in Tirana

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport signed an agreement with the Besa Cultural Foundation to establish the Besa [Faith] Museum in Tirana. The deal was signed during the fourth Diaspora Summit and launches a project focused on historical memory and cultural heritage. The museum will …

News

Albanian language competition final held in Tirana, new joint competition with Kosova announced

TIRANA, April 16 – Schools “Edith Durham” in Tirana and “Besëlidhja” in Lezha hosted the final of the fourth National Albanian Language Competition on Thursday. Albania’s Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro attended the event together with Kosova’s Minister of Education Hajrulla Çeku. Kumbaro praised students, teachers and parents for their …

News

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine as violations of international humanitarian law

TIRANA, April 16 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha condemned the latest wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine. He said drone and missile attacks hit civilian areas and caused casualties, including children. Hoxha expressed solidarity with victims, the injured, and their families. He said the attacks …

News

Prime Minister Rama meets Italian Prime Minister Meloni in Rome, highlights strategic cooperation and major joint projects

TIRANA, April 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace in Rome on Thursday. The visit focused on bilateral cooperation and ongoing strategic projects between Albania and Italy. PM Rama posted a statement on social media after the meeting. He said Italian …

News

Greek Defense Minister visits Kosovo, meets Kurti

Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias is in Kosovo today for an official visit. It is reported that on Thursday morning he was received in a meeting by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The news was announced by Dendias himself on X. “Working breakfast with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin …

News

Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine, Hoxha: A Serious Violation of International Humanitarian Law

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has reacted to the latest massive Russian attacks on Ukraine. Through a post on X, Hoxha expressed solidarity with the victims, the injured, and their families, and described the attacks as unacceptable and a serious violation of international humanitarian law. “We …

News

Rama in Italy, welcomed with an official ceremony by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Italy on Thursday afternoon, where he was received with a state ceremony by his counterpart Giorgia Meloni. Rama is expected to hold a meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, as well as with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, focusing on joint projects and the strengthening of …

News

Albania, a “champion” in the region for rising prices over the past decade, based on purchasing power

Over the past 10 years, Albania has approached EU price levels faster than any other country in the Western Balkans region. According to data from Eurostat, in 2015 the price level based on purchasing power was 48% of the EU average, making Albania one of the cheapest countries in the …