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$6 Billion LNG Deal with the U.S., Rama: A Step Toward Energy Independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his podcast “Flasim” that the $6 billion agreement with the United States and Greecewill enable Albania to be supplied with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 20 years. Rama emphasized that this investment is expected to create a stable foundation for diversifying the country’s energy …

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Historical Heritage Attracts Thousands of Tourists

Elbasan is gaining increasing attention from tourists, becoming one of the country’s key destinations. During the past month, more than 3,500 tourists have visited the city, mainly on day trips. The most frequented sites remain the Elbasan Castle and the Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan, which offer insight into the city’s …

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Frozen Courtesies: Albania–Greece Relations Between Rhetoric and Reality

Strategic ambitions, unresolved disputes, and a relationship caught between political narratives and diplomatic inertia. Tirana Times, May 02, 2026 – The latest encounter between Edi Rama and Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Delphi Economic Forum was meant to signal momentum in a relationship long burdened by history. Instead, it exposed a …

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EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about Albania is aware that the cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist period has been a clear orientation toward the Euro-Atlantic world, as a guarantee of democracy, security, and the country’s development, and as an expression of our aspiration …

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“Jerusalem Post” highlights Albania as one of Europe’s most attractive tourism destinations

TIRANA, May 1 – The Jerusalem Post presents Albania as an emerging tourism hotspot in Europe. It highlights its mix of culture, history, coastline, and mountain landscapes. Located in the Balkans next to Greece, the country increasingly positions itself as an alternative to more crowded Mediterranean destinations. In recent years, …

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Week in Review: Faint Hopes and No Regrets

In a world that increasingly finds itself turned upside down, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week tries to make sense of the past, present and future. Original post Here

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“The EU is a blessing for us,” Rama: Europe is too slow, it must speed up

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented 13 of his drawings at the premises of the Embassy of Italy in Berlin, as part of an event linked to his personal exhibition “Chrysalizing”, currently being held at Société Gallery. The exhibition also includes sculptures created by Rama, who has long been known for …

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Democratic Party launches statute reform, amendment calendar approved

At a meeting held this Friday, the Working Group for amendments to the Statute of the Democratic Party of Albaniaapproved both the working methodology and a detailed calendar for the process of reviewing the party’s founding document. According to the decision taken, the process will extend throughout the month of …

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May 1 protest in Albania, workers: Urgently approve a living minimum wage

International Workers’ Day was marked in Albania with a protest organized by the Union of Trade Unions of Albania in front of the Ministry of Economy of Albania. Participants held banners reading “A worker’s life is not a business cost” and “Wages to live, not to survive,” calling for better …

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Salianji: Democratic Party cannot continue like this, leadership change is required

Former DP MP Ervin Salianji has reacted to the latest developments in the race for the leadership of the Democratic Party, expressing criticism over how the party is being managed under Sali Berisha. In a Facebook post, Salianji writes that Berisha shows a lack of responsibility, which could lead to …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

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Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

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Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

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PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

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EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

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July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

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Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

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PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

News
National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …

News

Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

News

Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

News

Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

News

PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

News

EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News

July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

News

Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

News

PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

News

National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …