Rama Highlights Berat as a Strong Example of Albania’s Transformation
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama praised Berat on Monday as one of Albania’s clearest examples of transformation. Speaking during the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in the city, Rama thanked Berat residents for their trust and continued support. He said Berat reflects the progress Albania has made …
Lamallari: New 2026–2030 Strategy to Strengthen Fight Against Organized Crime
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari took part on Monday in a consultation meeting on Albania’s new national strategy against organized crime and serious criminal offenses for 2026–2030. The strategy will guide government policies in this area over the next five years. Meanwhile, Lamallari said the new document aims to build a …
Hoxha Says KFOR Plays Vital Role in Kosovo’s Peace and Stability
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha praised the vital role of KFOR in maintaining peace, security and stability in Kosovo. Hoxha made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with KFOR commander Özkan Ulutaş. In a message shared on X, Hoxha thanked NATO member states involved in …
Customs Approve New Guarantee Rules to Ease Business Procedures
Albania’s Customs Authority has approved a new instruction on global guarantees. It aims to simplify procedures for businesses. It also reduces administrative costs. Customs Director General Besmir Beja signed the new manual. It sets standard procedures for global guarantees, reduced guarantees, and exemptions. It also defines how these tools will …
Rama Reacts to Greek Media Coverage: Albania Aiming for “Tourism Olympus” with Major Project
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to reports from Greek media about developments in Zvërnec. He shared comments from the head of the Albanian diaspora in Greece, Edmond Guri. Rama said Greek media attention has increased significantly. He added that he has not seen such a reaction in 35 years. Meanwhile, …
President Begaj and First Lady Host Children of Armed Forces Women for Children’s Day
President Bajram Begaj and First Lady Armanda Begaj hosted a special Children’s Day event on 1 June in Tirana. They welcomed children of women serving in the Albanian Armed Forces. They organized the annual reception to celebrate 1 June, International Children’s Day. The President praised the service of female military …
Violence Against Protesters in Zvërnec: Rama Responds to Former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras regarding reactions in Greece to the recent incident in Zvërnec. In a lengthy post on X, Rama expressed surprise that Tsipras’ newly established party had “contributed to transforming a completely isolated incident into an issue of …
President Begaj Decrees the Dismissal and Appointment of Several Ambassadors
In a press release published on Monday, the Presidency announced that the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has signed decrees concerning the dismissal and appointment of several ambassadors of the Republic of Albania in diplomatic missions across different countries around the world. As part of these changes, the President …
Kosovo to Host the Balkan Cycling Championship for the First Time
The Cycling Federation of Kosovo will hold a press conference on June 3 ahead of the BCU Balkan Cycling Championship 2026, an event that will be organized in Kosovo for the first time. The conference is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m., during which federation officials will present details regarding …
Expert Shuperka: 11% of Albanian Adolescents Use Tobacco, It Must Be Stopped
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”6da3c76f-8447-49ca-a5e6-4df86ac6b6a6″ data-turn-id-container=”6da3c76f-8447-49ca-a5e6-4df86ac6b6a6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Smoking among adolescents, as well as the use of nicotine products, has raised concerns among global health experts. Roland Shuperka, an Albanian expert on tobacco and alcohol issues, says that Albania has consumption levels similar to those found across Europe. …
Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here
Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …
The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …
Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …
TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …
Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …