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Week in Review: High Ambitions and Missed Opportunities

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at future goals as well as lost opportunities from the past. Original post Here

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Diaspora Summit seen as key cooperation platform, EU membership remains strategic priority for Albania

TIRANA, April 10 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said the Fourth Diaspora Summit represents an important national event aimed at strengthening ties between Albanian institutions and citizens living abroad. He spoke during a media conference ahead of the gathering. He said the main objective is to turn the summit into …

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Finance minister urges wage transparency and sector formalisation in tourism meeting in Berat

TIRANA, April 10 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met tourism businesses in Berat to discuss sector challenges and tax compliance. He was joined by Tax Administration Director General Ilir Binaj. The meeting focused on cooperation with tax authorities and progress in implementing the operational plan for the region. During the …

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PM Rama tells pensioners pensions could rise fivefold by 2030 as economy stabilises

TIRANA, April 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana’s Unit 2 to discuss economic growth, social policies, and pension reform. He said the government will continue support through annual bonuses and gradual pension increases across categories. During the discussion, Rama said the government has entered a new …

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“€100 Million to Connect the Mountains with the Sea”: Government Approves “Gateway to the Alps” Project for Shkodër

The Albanian government has approved a new project for the Shkodër region called “Gateway to the Alps.” Through this project, €100 million in infrastructure investments are planned across the entire region, aiming to give a significant boost to tourism development, from the Alps all the way to the coast of …

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36 New Recruits from Non-Majority Communities Join the Kosovo Security Force

The Kosovo Security Force has announced that, in a solemn ceremony held today at the “Skënderbeu” barracks in Ferizaj, 36 recruits from non-majority communities were certified and have officially joined the force as its soldiers. During the ceremony, it was stated that the recruits came from Turkish, Ashkali, Bosniak, Roma, …

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Minister of Justice: The System Must Not Punish Twice for the Same Offense

The Constitutional Court and the National Chamber of Advocates held a conference where one of the fundamental principles of criminal law was discussed — the prohibition of double trial or punishment for the same criminal offense. In essence, this principle guarantees that a person cannot be prosecuted or punished more …

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Government Approves Rules for the Organization of Gambling Activities

The Council of Ministers approved this Friday the rules for the organization and functioning of the Project Support Council, a new structure established under the Gambling Supervision Authority. The decision defines in detail the procedures for establishing, organizing, and operating this council, which will play a key role in supporting …

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Interview of the Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, for Euronews

Journalist: I’m in the TV studio with the Ambassador of the European Union in our country, Mr. Silvio Gonzato. Z. Ambasador, thank you for joining us. I would like to start with a question that every Albanian asks, although we hear at the news every day, and political parties give …

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“Pensions Will Increase Every January,” PM Rama: Card for Basic Goods if Prices Rise

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting on Friday with pensioners from Unit No. 2. Rama stated that the real increase in pensions began in January and will continue progressively every January. “At last, the moment has come when the economy has made this possible; starting from January, you are …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

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The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

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Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News
Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

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Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …

News

EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

News

Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

News

Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

News

Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

News

Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

News

PM Rama: Tourism success boosts foreign investment, rejects claims on cheap labour and environmental harm

TIRANA, June 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s success in tourism has triggered growing interest from foreign capital and international businesses to invest in the country. He made the remarks during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training. Meanwhile, Rama rejected claims that foreign investors come …

News

The Pope, AI and the Future of Humanity

The most important political text of the 21st century comes not from politicians but from Pope Leo XIV by Milena Harito I am an atheist, but today I can do nothing but thank Pope Leo XIV, who with his first encyclical, wrote the most reasonable and meaningful political text I …

News

Restoration of Turan Tower continues, Gonxhja says historic values preserved for future generations

TIRANA, June 9 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing progress in the restoration of Turan Tower. He described it as a monument of special historical and architectural importance. Meanwhile, he said restoration and consolidation work continues on the monument. He said …

News

Tirana to host European Bank for Reconstruction and Development annual meeting in 2028

TIRANA, June 9 – Tirana will host the 2028 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, a major international event expected to bring together financial institution leaders, government representatives, investors, and development partners from dozens of countries. Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj announced the decision at …

News

Gonxhja Warns Political Uncertainty Could Affect Tourism and the Economy

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja highlighted record figures at Tirana International Airport and warned that political uncertainty could affect both tourism and the national economy. According to Gonxhja, the airport recorded its highest daily traffic on May 30. On that day, 51,420 passengers traveled through the airport, while …