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“Taste Routes” creates new spaces in Korçë to produce and promote local products

Several villages in Korçë are creating new spaces to produce, promote and sell traditional local products as part of the “Taste Routes” project. Mayor Sotiraq Filo said the Albanian Development Fund and the Municipality of Korçë are implementing the project together. The initiative aims to give new functions to village …

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Rama attends Euronews tourism Summit in Brussels

Prime Minister Edi Rama will attend the Euronews Tourism Summit in Brussels today, September 29. The summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and experts. They will discuss the trends shaping the future of tourism. Topics include changing traveller expectations, digital innovation, and sustainable development. Rama’s participation offers an opportunity …

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Balla meets German Bundestag EU Affairs Committee Chair

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met today with Anton Hofreiter, Chair of the German Bundestag’s Committee on European Union Affairs. The meeting focused on Albania’s European integration process. They also discussed progress in the EU accession negotiations and close cooperation with Germany in support of Albania’s path to …

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Peleshi meets German Bundestag Tourism Committee Chair

Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met today with Anja Karliczek, Chair of the German Bundestag’s Parliamentary Committee on Tourism. He also welcomed members of the German delegation visiting Albania. During the meeting, both sides praised the strong political and economic ties between Albania and Germany. They also highlighted …

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POLITICO: Brussels draws up accelerated EU roadmaps for four leading candidates, including Albania

The European Commission is drawing up proposals that would give the four leading EU candidates a clearer, step-by-step path to membership. The plans target Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania, according to two senior Commission officials who spoke to POLITICO. The officials work on the draft proposals and spoke anonymously about …

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IMF and World Bank complete Albania assessment: Financial system makes progress, modernized payment infrastructure

Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met with representatives of the joint IMF and World Bank mission as Albania completed its Financial Sector Assessment Program, or FSAP. The Albanian authorities requested the assessment, while the Bank of Albania coordinated the process domestically. Senior officials from the Financial Supervisory Authority, the …

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Lezhë coast attracts more visitors as August records 20% increase

The Lezhë coast attracted more holidaymakers during the 2026 summer season, with visits to the beaches of Shëngjin and Tale increasing by 14% compared with last year. According to data from the Municipality of Lezhë, August recorded the highest number of visitors during the season. The number of holidaymakers increased …

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Building a pathway to peace: Working together to return Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war

By H.E. Mrs. Elissa Golberg, Ambassador of Canada to Italy, Albania, Malta and San Marino; Yulia Gorokhovska, Chargés d’affaires, Embassy of Ukraine in Albania and H.E. Mr. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Croatia and Albania. Every morning at 9:00 a.m., Ukraine stops. Across cities in …

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Maran at Press Conference: Respect Must Be Shown to San Marino

Albania will face San Marino on Tuesday evening in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks are clear favorites to win the game. Head coach Rolando Maran appeared at the pre-match press conference alongside captain Berat Djimshiti. He stressed the importance of taking …

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Demo meets EU Ambassador: Stronger cooperation on security and European integration

Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with the European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, to discuss stronger cooperation in security and Albania’s priorities in the European integration process. The meeting focused on EU support for strengthening the capacities of the State Police, combating organized crime and …

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Can Albania Follow Hungary’s Example in Scrutinizing Officials’ Wealth?

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …

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Albania’s Arms Industry Faces International Trafficking Probe

Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …

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Albania lose 2-1 to Finland in Nations League

Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …

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Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

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EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

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Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

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International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

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OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

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Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

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Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …

News

Can Albania Follow Hungary’s Example in Scrutinizing Officials’ Wealth?

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …

News

Albania’s Arms Industry Faces International Trafficking Probe

Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …

News

Albania lose 2-1 to Finland in Nations League

Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …

News

Albania electricity distribution losses fall to 15.6% in 2026

Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …

News

EU enlargement commissioner says Albania among leading candidates

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …

News

Albania U19 Come from Behind to Defeat Lithuania U19

Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …

News

International Dance Festival Tirana Opens with 17 Performances Across the City

The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …

News

OSCE Highlights Importance of Inclusive Participation in Justice System

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …

News

Retro Car Tour Brings New Energy to Gjirokastër

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …

News

Monograph on Usta Josif and Përmet’s Saze Tradition Presented in Tirana

The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …