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Minister Nufi Speaks About Albanian Soldiers in Gaza: We Are Still in the Discussion Phase With Partners

After the government meeting, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi stated during a media communication that the mission of Albanian soldiers in Gaza is still under discussion with international partners and involved parties. According to him, given the delicate situation in Gaza, security measures and the specific duties Albanian soldiers would carry …

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Traffic Lights Return to Vlora After 30 Years, Citizens Welcome the Change

After nearly three decades of absence, traffic lights have returned to several of the main roads in the city of Vlora. Citizens consider this a positive step for road safety, while drivers are facing the challenge of adapting to the new traffic rules. At several intersections across the city, both …

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Russia Requested the Withdrawal of Diplomats From Kyiv, Hoxha: Threatening Embassies Is Not Diplomacy

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha reacted in a post on X regarding Russia’s request for foreign diplomats to leave Kyiv. Hoxha emphasized that threatening embassies is not diplomacy and clearly expressed Albania’s decision to continue supporting Ukraine. “Albania considers Russia’s announcement calling on diplomatic personnel and foreign …

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Meeting of Electoral Reform Commission with Venice Commission Delegation on Political Party Financing! Gjiknuri Reveals Details

The co-chair of the Special Commission on Electoral Reform, Damian Gjiknuri, announced this Thursday that together with his colleague Oerd Bylykbashi, he held a meeting with a delegation of representatives from the Venice Commission. The delegation consisted of members Veronika Bilkova, Oliver Kask, and Saša Zagorc, as well as DGI …

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Kurti Reveals the Main Duties of Kosovo’s Gendarmerie: It Will Fill the Gap Between the Police and the Army

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti spoke this Thursday during a press conference about the creation of Kosovo’s gendarmerie. During his remarks, Kurti stated that the gendarmerie will be responsible for securing Kosovo’s land, water, and air borders. He added that the gendarmerie will also be tasked with preventing cross-border smuggling …

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Transforming friendship into a strategic partnership: the common challenge for Italy and Albania 

Tirana Times, May 28, 2026 – The importance, depth and complexity of relations between Albania and Italy can never be overstated. Just over one year after he assumed the diplomatic post of Ambassador of Italy to Albania, Tirana Times editor in chief Jerina Zaloshnja carried out this interview with ambassador …

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German Ambassador Bergner: Justice reform is key for public expectations and EU integration

TIRANA, May 28 – The Centre for the Study of Democracy and Governance and the German Embassy in Albania held a discussion table with experts on justice reform and public perception. The focus was progress in the reform and citizens’ expectations. German Ambassador Karl Bergner said Albanian institutions have made …

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Two debut call-ups and returns as Maran names Albania squad

TIRANA, May 28 – Albania will play two friendly matches against Israel on 3 June at 20:00 at the “Air Albania” stadium and against Luxembourg on 6 June at 20:00 at the same venue. Head coach Rolando Maran has announced his first squad since taking charge of the national team. …

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Acting Tirana Mayor Ristani inspects “Streets for Children” project, expansion planned to 40 schools

TIRANA, May 28 – Acting Mayor of Tirana Anuela Ristani inspected the road block near “Gustav Mayer” school and Kindergarten 26. The site forms part of the “Streets for Children” project that transforms public spaces for children, parents and the community. Ristani said the project will expand to 40 additional …

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Albania ranks fourth in Europe for startup ecosystem growth, jumps eight places globally

TIRANA, May 28 – The 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by StartupBlink ranked Albania 75th in the world. The report recorded annual ecosystem growth of 71.1%. StartupBlink ranked Albania as the fourth fastest-growing startup ecosystem in Europe. The country climbed eight places in the global ranking. The report described this …

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Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

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Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

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Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

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Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

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Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

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Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

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Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

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Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

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Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …

News
Hoxha: Belgium’s New Embassy in Tirana Will Boost Bilateral Cooperation

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed Belgium’s decision to open an embassy in Tirana, describing it as an important step that will strengthen relations between the two countries. During an official visit to Brussels, Hoxha met with Maxime Prévot. The two officials reaffirmed the strong partnership between …

News

Rama’s Arguments with RSF Draw Attention From Albanian Media’s Problems

Edi Rama’s public exchanges with Reporters Without Borders, RSF, over its latest Freedom Index are part of a familiar pattern of redirecting attention away from real problems in society, experts say. Original post Here

News

Letter from London: Close to Boiling Point

The thermometer’s risen sharply, both literally and politically, this spring – but even with so much else to preoccupy Britons, the Balkans hasn’t quite slipped off the radar. Original post Here

News

Mario Biondi Delivers Emotional Jazz Performance in Tirana Concert

The concert of Italian soul and jazz artist Mario Biondi took place on Monday evening at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania in Tirana, bringing strong emotions and high energy to the audience. Organizers held the event as part of the 20th anniversary of his hit “This …

News

Rama: Independent Justice Is Key to Building a European State

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that justice reform and the independence of judicial institutions remain among the Socialist Party’s most important achievements. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama reflected on the period when former Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano was imprisoned. …

News

Rama: Socialist Party Has Always Defended Albania’s National Interest

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the ruling Socialist Party has consistently defended Albania’s national interest and urged citizens to support the country’s path toward membership in the European Union. Speaking at an event marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party in Tirana, Rama acknowledged that the party had made …

News

Hoxha: Positive IBAR Assessment Reflects Albania’s Reform Progress Toward the EU

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and European Union officials at Albania’s Mission to the EU in Brussels on Monday. The meeting followed Albania’s positive assessment in the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report (IBAR), which Hoxha said reflects the country’s transformative efforts on …

News

Manastirliu: Tirana Drives Albania’s Journey Toward EU Membership

Ogerta Manastirliu said Tirana has been the driving force behind Albania’s progress toward the European Union, as the Socialist Party celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding. Speaking at an event attended by party founders, members, supporters and leaders, Manastirliu praised the contribution of those who helped build and strengthen …

News

Ivanka Trump Calls Sazan Development the ‘Project of a Lifetime’

Ivanka Trump called the planned tourism development on Sazan Island the most ambitious project of her career and described it as “the project of a lifetime.” Speaking on entrepreneur David Senra’s podcast, Trump discussed the project that her husband, Jared Kushner, is leading in Albania. Trump said she discovered Sazan …

News

Hoxha and Van Hoof Discuss New Initiatives to Strengthen Albania–Belgium Relations

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Els Van Hoof to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Albania and Belgium. During the meeting, Hoxha thanked Belgium for its continued support for the European Union enlargement process and for Albania’s EU membership bid. He also praised the constructive …

News

Hoxha: Belgium’s New Embassy in Tirana Will Boost Bilateral Cooperation

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha welcomed Belgium’s decision to open an embassy in Tirana, describing it as an important step that will strengthen relations between the two countries. During an official visit to Brussels, Hoxha met with Maxime Prévot. The two officials reaffirmed the strong partnership between …